Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada, a supporter of Virginia Governor Mark Warner, disagreed with the Governor signing "a measure that tightens laws prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits, including Medicaid and public assistance," according to the Washington Post. The legislation --House Bill 1798 and Senate Bill 1143 -- requires state and local governments to verify whether anyone who requests non-emergency public benefits is in the United States legally.
Said Tejada, "It's very disappointing. It serves no other purpose but to fan the flames of anti-immigrant sentiment . . . and that is simply wrong." Tejada echoed the concerns expressed by opponents of the legislation and several local officials, who said it will create onerous red tape for people here legally.
On Latinos For America: Walter Tejada offers a sample letter for citizens to write to their representatives in the Virginia state legislature: "Please take a moment to e-mail the following Delegates on the House General Laws Committee and tell them to OPPOSE HB 1798. Necesitamos que actúen y ayuden!"
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