Groups discuss ways to restrict illegal immigrants
By Kristin Collins, Staff Writer

DURHAM -- A handful of state and county leaders came together today to get tips on driving illegal immigrants from their communities.

"People are tired of inaction," said Jameson Taylor, policy director for the N.C. Civitas Institute, which sponsored the event. "This is about addressing the myth that local governments can't do anything about illegal immigration." Civitas is funded by Art Pope, the founder of the conservative John Locke Foundation.

The event's speakers were two stars of the national restrictionist movement: Michael Hethmon, a lawyer who advises local governments on crafting ordinances that target illegal immigrants, and John Stirrup, a supervisor in Prince William County, Virginia, which has some of the most restrictive laws in the nation.

They suggested laws that target employers who hire illegal immigrants and landlords who rent to them. They also suggested nuisance laws that go after over-crowded homes and spots where illegal immigrants loiter, such as day labor sites.

They recommended denying any public services that are locally funded. And they endorsed a federal program that allows local law enforcement to help deport criminal suspects.

Those who attended included a few state legislators, a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, an employee of the N.C. Sheriff's Association, several candidates for elected office and commissioners from six counties.

"We've got people back home that are pushing for us to do more," said Tim Sutton, a commissioner in Alamance County, which has aggressively gone after illegal immigrants accused of crimes. "But I'm not interested in passing resolutions that don't accomplish anything. We're here to see if there are some meat and potatoes laws we can pass."
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