Immigrants and Charity

From today’s Washington Post:

“RICHMOND, Jan. 30 The Virginia House of Delegates approved a far-reaching proposal Tuesday to strip charities and other organizations of state and local funding if any of the money is used to provide services to immigrants in the country illegally.

“The proposal, one of nearly 50 immigration-related bills under consideration by the General Assembly, could force such groups as the Salvation Army and the Virginia Association of Free Clinics to verify immigration status before offering assistance to those in need or risk losing funding.”

Legislation like this is one reason why I sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable that I now live in a state that was on the wrong side of the Civil War.

Good old fashioned Southern xenophobia aside, we also have here a reason why charities should not accept government money. Sure the money can help, but it can also be like making a deal with the devil. In this case, charities would no longer have control over who they can help. Good for the bottom line, bad for freedom of association.

I wrote a letter to the editor making this point to the Washington Post. If they run it, I’ll post a link.

Update: The Post emailed me this morning (Feb. 1). They want to publish my letter. I’ll post a link when it runs.