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Attorney General Jeff Sessions calls for merit based immigration system during speech in Norfolk

Posted at 11:52 AM, Jan 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-26 16:15:17-05

NORFOLK, Va. - Attorney General Jeff Sessions called for tougher enforcement of immigration laws during a speech at Slover Library on Friday afternoon.

"It's time to put an end to the lawlessness," Sessions said. "Virginians know that better than just about anybody."

The country is in the midst of another debate over immigration with President Trump expected to lay out his plan on Monday. Sessions called for a merit based system of immigration, where immigrants would be allowed to enter the country based on things like their education. "It would be the best way to ensure that our immigration policy does not continue to harm our national security," he said.

Sessions is also in line with President Trump in calling for a border wall. "The wall will send the message that in the United States of America we enforce the laws of this country," he said.

Outside of the speech, a group protested Sessions' visit.

The speech was not open to the public. Members of the local law enforcement community made up the audience, including Hampton Police Chief Terry Sult. Chief Sult says illegal immigration isn't as big of an issue in Hampton as it is in other areas. "Some of what's being said about securing borders and that sort of thing makes sense," he said. "Securing borders reduces the flow of illegal drugs into our community. It's not a silver bullet stop gap, but it's an effective tool."