HOUSE BILL NO. 2931 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-1412.1, relating to cooperation with federal officials regarding immigration status. ---------- Patron-- Miller, J.H. ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 15.2-1412.1 as follows:

§ 15.2-1412.1.  Cooperation with federal officials regarding immigration status.

A. No local government, whether acting through its governing body or by an initiative, referendum, or any other process, shall enact any ordinance or policy that limits or prohibits a law-enforcement officer, local official, or local government employee from communicating or cooperating with federal officials with regard to the immigration status of any person within the Commonwealth.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no government entity or official within the Commonwealth may prohibit or in any way restrict any government entity or official from sending to or receiving from the federal government information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person or agency may prohibit or in any way restrict a public employee from doing any of the following with respect to information regarding the immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual:

1. Sending such information to or requesting or receiving such information from the United States Department of Homeland Security.

2. Maintaining such information.

3. Exchanging such information with any other federal, state, or local government entity.

D. This provision shall allow for a private right of action by any natural or legal person lawfully domiciled within the Commonwealth to file for a writ of mandamus to compel any noncooperating local or state governmental agency to comply with such reporting laws.