Protección de la identidad de víctimas y testigos de delitos

Explicación Simple

Esta ley dice que la policía no puede preguntar sobre el estatus migratorio de las personas que son víctimas o testigos de un crimen. Es para que todos se sientan seguros al reportar delitos sin miedo a ser arrestados por su situación migratoria.

Es como si tuvieras una caja de herramientas para arreglar cosas en casa. Si alguien viene a pedir ayuda porque su casa se está cayendo, no le preguntas si tiene permiso para estar en el país antes de ayudarlo.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Ana, una madre, va a la policía porque su hijo, Miguel, fue víctima de un robo. La policía no puede preguntarle a Ana si tiene papeles en regla, porque eso podría hacer que no quiera hablar y no se resuelva el caso.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 19.2-11.02 - Prohibiting inquiry into the immigration status of certain victims or witnesses of crime. A. No law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101 , shall, in connection with the report, investigation, or prosecution of a criminal violation of state or local law, inquire into the immigration status of any person who (i) reports that he is a victim of the crime or is the parent or guardian of a minor victim of the crime or (ii) is a witness in the investigation of the crime or the parent or guardian of a minor witness to the crime. B. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a law-enforcement officer from inquiring into the immigration status of the parent or guardian of a minor victim if such parent or guardian has been arrested for, has been charged with, or is being investigated for a crime against the minor victim. C. Nothing in this section shall affect the enforcement or implementation of § 18.2-59 , subdivision 10 of § 18.2-308.09 , or subdivision B 1 of § 18.2-308.2:2 , or prohibit a law-enforcement officer from inquiring into a person's immigration status to enforce or implement such sections. 2020, c. 273 . Va. Code § 19.2-11.1 - Establishment of crime victim-witness assistance programs; funding; minimum standards. Any local governmental body which establishes, operates and maintains a crime victim and witness assistance program, whose funding is provided in whole or part by grants administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services pursuant to § 9.1-104 , shall operate the program in accordance with guidelines which shall be established by the Department to implement the provisions of this chapter and other applicable laws establishing victims' rights. 1988, c. 542; 1994, cc. 361 , 598 ; 1995, c. 687 ; 1996, c. 545 .