Public Comments

I oppose this bill as it threatens constitutional and human rights.

I strongly oppose bill 4433. WV has more than it's share of problems to address in legislature, and undocumented immigrants is not high priority. Immigrants, both documented and undocumented, make their communities safer and happier. They are less likely to commit crimes than US-born citizens, and that is not debatable. So let's work on that problem instead. Why are so many US-born men violent and aggressive in their communities? If you truly care about the safety and well-being of your constituents, you'll vote NO on this bill, and work on solving the issues actually harming people in WV. If you'd rather blindly obey this authoritarian regime and promote this racist bill, the people will react at the polls. Thank you for your consideration.

I oppose HB 4433 because it weakens trust between communities and local government. When trust breaks down, everyone loses!!!

When people are afraid to report crimes, ask for help, or use public services, communities become less safe, not more. West Virginia is stronger when families feel secure showing up for their neighbors, their schools, and their towns, no matter their immigration status. HB 4433 does the opposite by creating fear and uncertainty where stability is needed.

This bill also raises serious concerns about due process and constitutional rights. Expanding enforcement power without strong oversight puts civil liberties at risk and opens the door to government overreach. West Virginians value fairness, accountability, and clear limits on power, and this bill does not reflect those values.

Punitive, surveillance-based policies do not solve complex issues. They erode trust, push people into the shadows, and make communities weaker rather than stronger. Public policy should bring people together not drive them apart.

HB 4433 goes against values many West Virginians share: dignity, fairness, compassion, and respect for human rights. Our laws should protect families and strengthen community trust. This bill does neither.

I urge lawmakers to oppose HB 4433 and instead support solutions that uphold civil liberties, build trust, and reflect the best of who we are as West Virginians.

As a West Virginian, I care about the safety and stability of my community. HB 4433 would create fear and uncertainty for families who live, work, and contribute here every day.

Punitive, surveillance based policies don’t solve complex issues. They erode trust and make communities weaker, not stronger.

Please oppose HB 4433 and support solutions that actually bring people together.

This bill is unwarranted and out of touch with the important issues West Virginians are facing. HB 4433 doesn’t address affordability, healthcare, or community safety and it creates significant problems instead.

Lawmakers need to focus on real solutions, not policies that divide communities and waste time and resources. I strongly oppose HB 4433.

I oppose HB 4433 because it raises real concerns about due process and constitutional rights. Expanding enforcement power without strong oversight puts fundamental freedoms at risk.

West Virginians value fairness, accountability, and limits on government overreach. This bill doesn’t align with those values.

Lawmakers should reject HB 4433 and uphold the civil liberties of everyone who calls West Virginia home.

HB 4433 raises serious concerns about cost and liability for our state and local governments. Expanding enforcement roles usually means higher expenses, more lawsuits, and more risk for taxpayers.

West Virginia already has real needs like schools, healthcare, infrastructure. We shouldn’t be pouring money into policies that create legal exposure instead of real solutions.

For these reasons, I strongly oppose HB 4433.

I oppose HB 4433 because it goes against values many West Virginians share. It goes against our dignity, fairness, and compassion.

Our laws should protect families, respect human rights, and build community trust. This bill does none of those things.

I urge lawmakers to reject HB 4433 and pursue policies that reflect our shared values.

HB 4433 doesn’t target traffickers, it targets victims and the people who help them. When survivors are blocked from restitution and helpers are criminalized, reporting stops and exploiters thrive, hurting ALL of West Virginia.

Mountaineers are always free, and that means freedom from exploitation, fear, and punishment for surviving abuse. We believe in dignity, accountability, and taking care of our own. This bill contradicts our values of community, fairness, and standing up for one another.

Our state should be a place where survivors are supported, not punished, and where TRAFFICKERS are the ones held responsible. HB 4433 fails that test.

I oppose HB 4433 because it weakens trust between communities and local government. When people are afraid to report crimes, ask for help, or use public services, everyone loses.

West Virginia is stronger when families feel safe showing up for their communities, no matter their immigration status. This bill does the opposite by creating fear instead of safety. Further, reporting these matters is difficult enough. If the real concern is getting violent criminals off the streets, we should make reporting easier for EVERYONE.

Public policy should bring people together, not push them apart. I urge lawmakers to oppose HB 4433.

This is not what west virginia needs. We need finding for our schools. We need representation that actually listens to what the people if WV tell you they need. This isn't it.

I oppose HB 4433 because it weakens trust between communities and local government. When people are afraid to report crimes, ask for help, or use public services, everyone loses.

West Virginia is stronger when families feel safe showing up for their communities, no matter their immigration status. This bill does the opposite by creating fear instead of safety.

Public policy should bring people together, not push them apart. I urge lawmakers to oppose HB 4433.

I oppose HB 4433 because it raises real concerns about due process and constitutional rights. Expanding enforcement power without strong oversight puts fundamental freedoms at risk.

West Virginians value fairness, accountability, and limits on government overreach. This bill doesn’t align with those values.

Lawmakers should reject HB 4433 and uphold the civil liberties of everyone who calls West Virginia home.

Lawmakers should reject HB 4433 and uphold the civil liberties of everyone.

HB 4433 will restrict the ability of faith congregations to assist marginalized people.  Giving transportation and assistance to marginalized people is our responsibility as faith practitioners, regardless of someone's legal status.  Please do not criminalize charitable works.

I oppose HB 4433 because it goes against values many West Virginians share. It goes against our dignity, fairness, and compassion.

I don't agree with this bill. This goes against my Christian beliefs that I am my brother's keeper. Human smuggling is not the same as helping a refugee or immigrant get to medical help or feeding them. I understand the difference between letter of the law & spirit of the law. An analogy would be if its illegal to park on the shoulder of a highway. But what if I parked on the shoulder to help a stranded motorist with a flat tire or broken down vehicle. I think the legislation here is going too far with this bill. We need to consider human rights. Intentionally not treating another human with compassion is not only against my Christian values, it strikes me as resoundingly unethical.

Dear sirs/mesdames, Tonight, I re-read the Bill of Rights over and over. You all should, too.  Here is the 14th Amendment, which each of you should all know by heart before you ever ran for politics: "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Notice that it says PERSON in that last sentence. Follow the Constitution and Bill of Rights and quit being inhuman racists.  You may not deny ANY PERSON  regardless of citizenship, religion, race, legal standing, age, gender, sexual preference, political party, education level or any other discriminatory category you care to invent, equal protection under the laws. Stop dividing this state and nation by this persecution of human beings and reject the proposed House law to deny protection and justice to ANY victim of any crime, including sex crimes. Anastasia Hilvers, Registered Republican, although that should not matter.

This bill if passed and enacted would be a clear violation of people’s first amendment rights to practice their religion by meeting people’s basic needs (for food, housing, or transportation), no matter their immigration or citizenship status.

HB 4433 would create significant exposure to criminal liability for not only individual citizens, but also businesses and religious organizations.

This bill would blur what is otherwise a very clear line between criminal smuggling and providing humanitarian assistance  

This bill if passed and enacted would be a clear violation of people’s first amendment rights to practice their religion by meeting people’s basic needs (for food, housing, or transportation), no matter their immigration or citizenship status.

HB 4433 would create significant exposure to criminal liability for not only individual citizens, but also businesses and religious organizations.

This bill would blur what is otherwise a very clear line between criminal smuggling and providing humanitarian assistance.

If passed, HB 4433 would face constitutional challenges in court.

This bill is unnecessary and out of touch with the real issues West Virginians are facing. HB 4433 doesn’t address affordability, healthcare, or community safety and it creates more problems instead.

Lawmakers should focus on real solutions, not policies that divide communities and waste time and resources.  Please oppose HB 4433