Va. Immigrant Detention Center Plan Rejected

RICHMOND, Oct. 16 -- Virginia officials rejected a controversial proposal Tuesday to build a 1,000-bed detention center where illegal immigrants arrested for certain crimes could be held until federal officials deport them.

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Instead, the Virginia Crime Commission's immigration task force voted to approve a proposal to give more money to localities to house arrested illegal immigrants and to expand or build new jails.

"I don't think there is support in the General Assembly or with the public for building a standalone facility,'' said Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle (R-Virginia Beach), chairman of the task force.

The detention center would have been the country's first state-run facility built to hold only illegal immigrants accused of crimes. Currently, illegal immigrants who are arrested are held in local jails, federal facilities and private prisons.

Under the new proposal, localities will be allowed to keep all of the money the federal government sends them to house federal inmates, including illegal immigrants, instead of giving a share to the state. Sheriffs also would start to receive 50 percent -- instead of 25 percent -- of the cost of expanding or building new jails.

"It was easier to let the sheriffs do it,'' said Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), who chairs the full Crime Commission.

The 22-member task force approved 18 other proposals that will be consider by the full Crime Commission next month.