Extortion; person who extorts money, etc., by threatening to report another as illegally present. (HB1841)
Introduced By
Del. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem)
Progress
√ |
Introduced |
X |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Extortion; civil action; destroying, etc., passport. Provides that a person who extorts money, property, or pecuniary benefit from any person by threatening to report another as being illegally present in the United States, or knowingly destroys, conceals, removes, confiscates, withholds or threatens to withhold, or possesses any passport, immigration document, or other government identification document is liable to that person for damages in the amount of $10,000 or three times the amount of actual damages, whichever is greater, and the costs of suit, including reasonable attorney fees. View Full Text »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
View Bill's History
Comments
The Virginia Interfaith Center supports this bill.
There is already a criminal statute that prohibits extorting something of value from a person by threatening to report their immigration status. Unfortunately, the criminal sentencing guidelines often mean that a person convicted of this crime receives minimum penalties. This bill would give the victim of such extortion the right to sue in civil court for damages.
Amendment would be helpful: after "property" insert "services," to include those persons who are imported and held in virtual slavery.