http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1206/382881.html

Chief Eyes Federal Training To Spot Illegal Immigrants
Location: Manassas, Va.
Posted: December 25, 2006 11:47 AM EST


Police and jail employees in Prince William County may ask for federal immigration enforcement training, the latest move by one of Virginia's fastest growing counties to track illegal immigration.

Colonel Charles Land, the superintendent of the Prince William-Manassas regional jail, wants some of his officers to be trained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on how to identify inmates who are illegal immigrants and have been involved in violent or serious crimes.

County and Manassas city police departments have also been looking into federal immigration training.

But earlier this week, Prince William police Chief Charlie Deane told county supervisors that it would be more effective to have jail officials undergo federal immigration training.

Manassas police Chief John Skinner made similar recommendations to the city council in October.

County supervisors have asked staff to determine how much money illegal immigration is costing the county government.

Supervisors said the federal government should pay for additional costs caused by illegal immigration for schools, health care, law enforcement and social services.

On Wednesday, Land told the Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail Board that the cost of five-week training for officers would be paid by the jail. He said he'll make a formal recommendation on the training to the jail board in January.

Ricardo Juarez, the regional coordinator for Mexicans Without Borders, urged the board to use county money to improve the local police force, rather than to enforce federal laws.

Critics argue immigration training could make the Hispanic community more fearful, and less trusting, of local police.