HB1841: Extortion; person who extorts money, etc., by threatening to report another as illegally present.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 8.01-42.4 as follows:

8.01-42.4. Civil action for extortion; destroying, etc., passport.

Any person who (i) threatens to report another as being illegally present in the United States, or (ii) knowingly destroys, conceals, removes, confiscates, withholds or threatens to withhold, or possesses any actual or purported passport or other immigration document, or any other actual or purported government identification document, of another person, and by either such action extorts money, property, or pecuniary benefit or any note, bond, or other evidence of debt from him or any other person shall be liable to such other person for damages in the amount of $10,000 or three times the amount of damages sustained, whichever is greater, and the costs of suit, including reasonable attorney fees.