Illegal immigration was a major issue during last year's legislative campaigns. So much so, in fact, that there's still a bundle of direct mail pieces in a desk here at Cheap Seats HQ no less than 6 inches thick, packed full of one illegal immigration-based appeal after another.

Thus far, though, the new Democratic leadership in the Senate of Virginia has been less than receptive to bills aimed at those illegally present in the country. Only a handful survived the committee process, and fewer still made from the floor of the Senate to the House of Delegates.

One exception is Senate Bill 623, brought forward by Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach. SB 623 would make no bail the "default" position for illegal aliens accused of crimes. The bill passed 34-6, seven more votes than it would need to overcome a veto from Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

House Bill 440 does much the same thing, but the Senate version contains an exception for some drug offenses, unless federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials agree to begin deportation proceedings against the accused.

But the bill didn't make it through without opposition. Two Democratic senators from the Richmond area, Henry L. Marsh and Donald McEachin, had hard questions for the bill's patron during floor debate in the hours before crossover on Wednesday.

Audio excerpts are here and here.

Both bills will now work their way back through the committee system, likely toward a final vote before the session ends next month.