NBC29Central Virginians Talk Immigration Reform

Central Virginians Talk Immigration Reform

Immigration reform was a hot topic of discussion for Democrats in Central Virginia Saturday. Charlottesville and Albemarle Democrats gathered at the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) to discuss what can be done in Virginia to take on the issue.

Immigrants who live in the area dispelled some myths and offered insight into their community's contributions to the Commonwealth.

Sindy Benavides, a native of Honduras, was one of four speakers at the meeting. She came to the U.S. with her family when she was just one year old. Like many immigrant families, her parents worked hard so she could go to school.

"I went on to college, graduated valedictorian, got a full ride to do my masters and I'm doing something that I love now," she said.

Benavides now works for Governor Tim Kaine. She shared her story to those in attendance and dispelled some misconceptions people may have about immigrants.

"In Virginia, Latino citizens have higher education level than the overall population, higher income than the overall population," she said.

Peter Loach is the chairman of Creciendo Juntos, a group that deals with immigration rights in Central Virginia. He said he's surprised the Commonwealth hasn't been more vocal about this issue.

"Many of us from Virginia have been really shocked and appalled at some of the legislation in the General Assembly and some other things going on in the state that aren't just anti-illegal immigration, but they are anti-immigrant," he said.

Loach said 10 percent of the state’s population was born outside the U.S., and almost half of the jobs created in the past ten years have been created for those immigrants.

Benavides said losing such jobs could be detrimental to the economy.

"Immigrants across the state are contributing in aspects all across the board, from construction jobs to professional jobs. They're making our state move forward," she said.

There are more than 60 bills being proposed in the 2008 legislative session that are related to immigration.

Reported by Christina Mora
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