This bill is back, and once again this year I challenge supporters of the bill to provide evidence that an undocumented immigrant is less likely to appear for trial than a documented immigrant or a person native-born. I understand that intuitively it seems that undocumented persons would be less likely to appear. However, as an attorney in a community with a large immigrant population, I have experienced in my practice that my undocumented clients are NOT less likely to appear than other clients. Indeed, my immigrant clients are more likely to appear than my native clients! This is true even when my client KNOWS he will be going to prison and then deportation! I realize that this is merely anecdotal, but I have discussed this issue with other attorneys who have had the same experience.

They are "illegally" in this country and we must take all necessary precautions to assure they show up, then deport them as soon as they as their jail term expires or when they are otherwise cleared of charges.

We must honor the ones that came here legally and those legally waiting their turn outside of this country.

Mary Steele
Yorktown VA
757-887-6629