Prince William immigration policy could be extended statewide

Manassas, Va. resident Edil Sarazu, left, participates with others in a rally and march protesting Prince William County's proposed resolution aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration at the Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza in Woodbridge, Va. on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007. Sarazu is a native of Peru and came to the United States eight years ago. The rally and march were held by the Mexicans Without Borders and ended a week of boycotts against non-Hispanic owned county businesses.

Published: January 16, 2011
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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. -- Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, has introduced legislation that would require police to check the immigration status of anyone arrested.

The legislation would essentially extend Prince William's illegal immigration enforcement policy to all Virginia.

Lingamfelter's bill was lauded Friday by Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, a Republican who has hinted at running for U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's seat in 2012.

Prince William's policy, passed by its Board of County Supervisors amid controversy in 2007, mandates that police officers inquire into the immigration status of everyone who is arrested in the county.

"The strength of this policy is that it mandates the status check and establishes a bright line for Virginia law enforcement, avoiding racial-profiling accusations," said Stewart. "As lawmakers, we have to show our law enforcement officials that we have their backs."

He added: "I am very hopeful we will be able to advance the rule of law for all Virginians."

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