Home-grown immigration reform

States and local governments must consider the consequences of their own immigration measures before rushing forward out of frustration.

State and local impatience with Congress' failure to overhaul immigration law is apparent when a county government openly blames illegal immigrants for crime, spiraling school costs and overcrowded housing, then passes a resolution aimed at "taking back" the community.

We'll set aside the prejudiced overtone and emphasize this: Immigration is a federal issue that warrants a federal response. State and local measures that target illegal immigrants, such as a tough resolution the Prince William County Board of Supervisors passed last week, are open invitations to unintended consequences.

The hundreds who packed a meeting before the Prince William supervisors sent clear signals, tinged with anger and racism, that it is time to reclaim their community. The supervisors, already leaning toward a crackdown, unanimously approved the resolution. It requires county police to check the status of anyone in custody who they suspect is undocumented, and requires county staff to verify a person's legal status before providing public services such as nonemergency medical care.

Feeling compelled to act when Congress has not can be understood. But resolution opponents are right to be concerned about the consequences: that the new measure may result in an end to community policing and an increase in youth crime and racial profiling.

The resolution also directs the county police department to enter an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to train officers in immigration law enforcement.

But according to the Manassas Journal, the superintendent of the Prince William-Manassas Regional jail told supervisors that ICE has said it will accept only 40 illegal immigrants a month, and only those who have been convicted of a crime or are the "worst of the worst."

The superintendent also said not everyone tagged by ICE will be deported. John Stirrup Jr., the supervisor who proposed the resolution, said he refused to "accept ICE's position that they cannot process more individuals."

Stirrup can think what he will; it won't change hard facts.

The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported last week that ICE is understaffed, underfunded and overwhelmed with responsibilities not only in the Hampton Roads area but throughout the country. Since its creation in 2003, ICE has failed to make significant headway in stemming the increase in illegal immigrants or their criminal activities, the Pilot found.

Prince William County's impatient rush to take matters into its own hands will undoubtedly lead to unintended consequences.

"There's a political vacuum, and state and local governments are moving into it," Michael Thurmond, Georgia's labor commissioner, told USA Today last week.

State and local governments rush to fill the void at the risk of even worse problems.

http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/wb/xp-124464