Visitors to West Virginia may soon be greeted by a new state welcome sign that makes clear the Mountain State’s stance on illegal immigration.
Moore Capito, a Republican candidate for West Virginia governor, says the reaction to a campaign ad that featured the state’s traditional welcome sign with an added “Sanctuary Cities: 0” below the population counter was so positive that he wants to make it a reality.
“Since that ad began running, I’ve been getting great feedback from voters who really like the idea of adding a spot below our welcome signs that highlight our commitment to the rule of law by publicly stating we have zero sanctuary cities,” Capito told The Daily Wire. “It’s a commitment to common sense and public safety that I think is worthwhile. As Governor, I’d like to make it a reality.”
While neighboring Maryland and Pennsylvania have a host of sanctuary counties, Capito said that West Virginia would never let that happen, calling their very existence a “slap in the face.”
“The idea of so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ – where the rule of law is disregarded – is a slap in the face to our democracy,” he told The Daily Wire. “Look at liberal bastions like California and New York. Their sanctuary status tells people it’s fine to break the law. It’s a message that encourages crime. How’s that going for them?”
In the ad, Capito highlighted his work in the state legislature last year to help pass a measure that effectively bans sanctuary cities by requiring all local entities to cooperate with the enforcement of immigration laws. Capito, who stepped down from the legislature in December to campaign for governor, was House Judiciary chair when the anti-sanctuary city measure made it through both chambers and was signed by Republican Governor Jim Justice.
Capito said that the total number of illegal immigrants who have entered under President Joe Biden is more than three times the population of West Virginia. He said under his leadership the state would take action to make sure that illegal immigrants do not make their way into West Virginia.
“We do things differently in West Virginia,” Capito said. “We support law enforcement. Since Biden refused to secure our southern border, we took legislative action to protect public safety by banning sanctuary cities.”
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Other Republican gubernatorial candidates for West Virginia include Attorney General Patrick Morrissey, businessman Chris Miller, and Secretary of State Mac Warner. The West Virginia primary is scheduled for May 14.