Prince William Co. official: localities can't wait for state action on immigration


Associated Press - December 4, 2007 6:15 PM ET

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Prince William County official says a measure letting the county document and report the immigration status of criminals has turned 242 illegal alien inmates over to federal authorities since July.

Prince William board of supervisors chairman Corey Stewart says they also expect to implement a measure early next year denying some county services to illegal immigrants.

Stewart said localities cannot depend on the state "to solve the problem" of illegal immigration. His comments came at AP Day at the Capital, an annual gathering of journalists who cover government and the General Assembly.

Stewart said county officials made an agreement with federal officials to initiate the deportation process when inmates are found to be present illegally. Before, legal restrictions meant jails could hold criminals until federal officials detained them.

Stewart said he disagrees with critics who claim the county measures are racist.

But Latino activists argue the undocumented immigrant community is small, with relatively little impact on the state.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.








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