Thread: VA: County aims to crack down on illegal immigrants

07/03/2007
County aims to crack down on illegal immigrants
By: Tara Slate Donaldson

Residents can expect to see sparks fly on Tuesday when the Prince William Board of County Supervisors takes up its most controversial illegal immigration measure yet.
Last week, Gainesville Supervisor John Stirrup (R) introduced a motion that would require police to find out the immigration status of every suspect. Stirrup's plan would also require all county agencies to find out the immigration status of everyone they serve.

Illegal immigration is "something that I think everyone will agree is destroying the fabric of the county," Stirrup said. "It's making our neighborhoods unsafe, it's reducing property values and it's destroying our quality of life."

Currently, the county police check into the immigration status of those who commit felonies. Police Chief Charlie T. Deane has previously said it would be impractical and expensive for officers to try to determine the legality of everyone stopped for traffic violations or other minor infractions.

In addition, he has expressed concern that asking local police to become immigration enforcers would seriously hurt the department's relations with the Hispanic community, thus making it more difficult to enforce the law and solve crimes.

Federal immigration officials have also told the supervisors previously that they cannot deport every illegal immigrant. Generally, only those deemed a threat are removed because there are simply too many illegals to process.

It is those devilish details that may trip up the resolution next week.

"I think there are some fiscal issues and some operational issues here that we owe it to the board to identify," said County Executive Craig Gerhart.

Supervisor Wally Covington (R-Brentsville) said he too has concerns about the cost of enforcing the resolution. His solution, however, is to issue fines to illegal immigrants "to pass that cost not onto the taxpayer but onto those perpetrating the crime."

But the new law, if passed, wouldn't affect only the police. It would also ensure that illegal immigrants can't use any services or programs that receive money from the county.

Depending on the final wording of the resolution, that list could include schools, hospitals, homeless shelters, mental health services, parks, libraries, arts organizations or senior citizen programs.

Private citizens would be given the right to sue organizations that don't comply.

Neabsco Supervisor John Jenkins (D) and Woodbridge Supervisor Hilda Barg (D) both expressed doubt that the supervisors could work their way through the legal ramifications in one meeting.

"There's just so much here," Jenkins said, adding that federal and state authorities will need to be consulted.

Both supervisors asked for a work session instead, but Stirrup argued successfully that the board should take up his resolution on July 10. If serious issues arise, they can work them out at a later date, he said.

http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab6 ... 6105&rfi=6

In addition, he has expressed concern that asking local police to become immigration enforcers would seriously hurt the department's relations with the Hispanic community, thus making it more difficult to enforce the law and solve crimes.

I am SO sick of hearing this exact same phrasing from police all over the country. What's wrong with these "protectors" of the people. Speaking of that, the Nashville police has EL Protector painted on their crusiers.

How is ENFORCING the law making it more difficult to ENFORCE the law? They don't cooperate for the same reason other ethnic groups don't cooperate, FEAR! Fear of reprisal from the thugs and gangs, plus all this ethnocentric pride thing. It's sickening to see the police pandering to criminal elements!

I suspect the police just don't want to mess with the paperwork this might entail.