On Loudoun Board, Growth May Trump Immigration Issues

By Sandhya Somashekhar
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 16, 2007; A01



Loudoun County's much-publicized election-year effort to root out and drive away illegal immigrants may fizzle six months after it began, as a slate of Democrats with different priorities prepares to take control of the Board of Supervisors next month.

Loudoun was quick to follow Prince William County last summer in attempting to crack down on what some board members said were problems created by illegal immigrants, and many elected officials used the issue in their fall campaigns.

But the Loudoun board that will be sworn in Saturday has a different mission.

"The emphasis is going to be on issues of growth and transportation and education," said C. Kelly Burk (D), one of four Democrats who defeated incumbent Republicans in the Nov. 6 election. "I want to get back to what people are concerned about."

Eight candidates, including five Democrats, won seats on the nine-member board on a promise to slow growth in Loudoun, where population has virtually doubled since 2000 as suburban-style developments crop up in the formerly rural county.

On the campaign trail, the Democrats blamed the growth for worsening traffic, crowded schools and high taxes -- quality-of-life issues that for voters seemingly trumped illegal immigration, which had been a key campaign point for several of the outgoing Republicans.

"We have some very critical issues facing us in the coming months, and I thought it was very unfortunate that this board couldn't find more constructive uses of their time," said Stevens R. Miller (D), who was elected in the Dulles district and called the effort against illegal immigrants "an election tactic that subsequently failed."

The board that will take office next month faces a fiscal challenge that several supervisors said will be an immediate priority. County officials expect a shortfall of $251 million in part because of declining revenue from the housing market. At the same time, schools Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick III plans to ask for about $80 million more from the county than the district received last year.

Those on the current board recently cast what are likely to be their final votes on illegal immigration, deciding to go after homeowners who illegally rent out rooms and commit other zoning violations, a trend that officials have said they think is on the rise and is aggravated by an influx of illegal immigrants. They also voted to ask parents who use county child-care services to certify that their children are legal residents.

Despite the hard-talking rhetoric earlier in the year, supervisors did not cut off any county-funded social services to those who could not prove residency. A deal to work more closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is awaiting federal approval.

In part, Loudoun officials were limited in their efforts to enact anti-illegal immigrant policies by state and federal laws that restrict county governments' actions.

"We've done all we can do," said Stephen J. Snow (R-Dulles), whom Miller defeated last month. "And we've put the state and federal government on notice that we need help."

Prince William went further than Loudoun. Beginning next year, residents who cannot prove legal residency won't be able to get business licenses or be eligible for several other county services. Police will have the authority to check the immigration status of anyone who breaks the law, even for minor offenses including speeding or shoplifting. Civil-liberties groups have begun filing legal challenges over the precedent-setting policies.

Loudoun supervisors took a more measured approach partly because of concern about lawsuits. Supervisor James Burton (I-Blue Ridge), who was reelected, said he is not willing to spend taxpayer money on legal challenges.

"We can tighten restrictions on overcrowding and blight, and beyond that, whatever people want to do, most of it has been challenged in courts," he said. "It doesn't make sense to keep beating your head against the wall and making grand speeches when there's very little you can do."

Some anti-illegal immigrant activists have said that Loudoun's board lacked political will.

"It's been a disappointment, frankly, that we don't have the Prince William Board of Supervisors here," said Joe Budzinski, a spokesman for Help Save Loudoun, an activist group that supports tougher measures against illegal immigrants.

The new supervisors would be remiss if they dropped illegal immigration altogether, said leaders in Prince William and neighboring Herndon.

Voters are demanding local action, and there is much work to be done, said Dennis D. Husch, vice mayor of Herndon, who was elected last year on a pledge to shut down a hiring center for day-laborers. The center closed in September.

"Wait until their e-mail accounts fill up and their phones begin to ring," he said of Loudoun supervisors.

"Elected officials can't just ignore the citizens. If they do, it's going to get real ugly in a hurry."

A recent Washington Post poll showed that six in 10 Virginians said that illegal immigration is a problem where they live, and several political strategists have predicted that it will become a major issue in next year's presidential election.

Incoming Loudoun supervisors have said they will not abandon the effort against illegal immigration. Residential crowding remains a problem in aging neighborhoods, they said, and they might try to take action against businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

"If my constituents ask me to make it a priority, it will be," said Andrea McGimsey (D), who will represent the Potomac district.

For at least one activist who has opposed the measures, the battle is over.

Mukit Hossain, who has been a vocal opponent of anti-illegal immigrant measures in the region, said he plans to move from Sterling to somewhere in Prince William to take his activism there.

"I think the impact of [Loudoun's policies] will be greatly diminished now," he said. "It's time to move the fight to Prince William."

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