Delegate Charniele Herring Stands up for Immigrants and Dual Citizens

Richmond, VA- Delegate Charniele Herring spoke today on HB 2332, one of several bills related to immigration and immigration enforcement before the House of Delegates. HB 2332 requires that law enforcement officers to ask two questions of an individual to ascertain whether an individual was born in a country other than the United States and if the person is a citizen of a country other than the United States.

In her floor speech Delegate Herring raised several concerns about HB 2332, citing her own story as an example, “My father was an army officer stationed in the Dominican Republic where I was born in a civilian hospital in the capitol Santo Domingo,” Delegate Herring began.   “Because I was born in the Dominican Republic, I became at that time a citizen of the country.   Like the United States, the Dominican Republic recognizes dual citizenship, because my parents are American so I too am an American and was naturalized when I returned to the United States.”

Herring then outlined her concerns with HB 2332: This bill presents a mandate to our law enforcement officers. They will have to ask the following questions of those they arrest and take into custody: Were you born in a country other than the United States? Are you a citizen of a country other than the United States? For those with dual citizenship or naturalized, they would have to respond yes.

Herring says, “There is now a presumption, that an American citizen is not a citizen. For someone who is legally a resident or naturalized, that person will now be assumed to be a flight risk and may be held without bond. This is only compounded when a person is unsure of their status of citizenship in another country, like me, who was born elsewhere but has always lived and worked as an American.”

In her floor speech she mentioned lessons learned at Washington Irving Intermediate School. Afterwards Delegate Herring stated, “I recall in my 7^th grade civics class, when we were taught to respect our country, its values and the beauty of its diversity.” Delegate Herring continued: “I am a proud citizen of the United States.   I came here when I was three months old, I can trace my ancestry back to before the Civil War.”    

Delegate Herring’s remarks were met with applause as she stood up for immigrants and citizens of the United States. Unfortunately, the bill was passed to another reading by voice vote.

Herring represents the 46^th District which includes the West End of Alexandria and parts of Falls Church. She serves on the Science and Technology Committee and the Courts of Justice Committee where she holds a position as the Democratic Committee Whip. Since 2009 she has advocated for her constituents and worked to protect the most vulnerable in our society.  Her floor speech can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/jiz-gbajckw