Va. County OKs Illegal Immigrant Crackdown

Hundreds Testify At Contentious Hearing On Policy To Deny Services To Aliens

(CBS/AP)  After 12 hours of meeting and hearing emotional testimony, Prince William County supervisors voted to move forward with their contentious measure to deny services to illegal immigrants.

They postponed the matter of how to secure long-term funding for the plan, which includes allowing police to check the residency status of anyone arrested in the county and improve cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

More than 1,200 people packed the county government complex in Woodbridge and the streets outside last night - and about 400 signed up to address the supervisors during the public comment period.

As the meeting began, supporters and opponents of the measures scuffled in the street before police separated them.

Supervisors were supposed to vote on the restrictions two weeks ago, but put off the vote while they studied the county's budget situation.

The anti-illegal immigration resolution was first proposed in June, CBS affiliate WUSA-TV reports.

It calls for cuts to certain county services and prohibits undocumented residents from getting business licenses. The resolution also expands police authority allowing officers to ask people about their legal status.

Immigration supporters are concerned about the consequences of the police action and what will happen if people do not call police for help or to report a crime, WUSA reports.

The tension in Woodbridge came as officials in Virginia's Fairfax County and Richmond also turned their attention to illegal immigration yesterday, the Washington Post reported. Fairfax's county executive said he would begin studying which services might be restricted to illegal immigrants, and in Richmond, officials rejected a proposal to build a 1,000-bed detention center where illegal immigrants could be temporarily held for deportation, the Post reported.

Instead, the Virginia Crime Commission's immigration task force approved a proposal to give more money to local governments to house arrested illegal immigrants and to expand or build jails, the Post reported.

But the real drama was in Prince William, and it wasn't confined to the street. For hours yesterday afternoon and deep into the night, the podium belonged to residents, highlighting how visceral the issue has become. The list of speakers grew longer after the workday ended, as scores of Hispanic immigrants arrived to urge the supervisors to vote no, many speaking through translators, the Post reported. Children of immigrants, standing on stools, asked board members not to hurt their parents, according to the paper.

Others pointed out that illegal immigrants are breaking the law, the Post reports. "Where do you get off demanding services, rights and mandatory citizenship?" said Manassas resident Robert Stephens, addressing the large crowd of Hispanic residents, reported the Post. "Who invited you? You cry for your rights? You have none."

Police officials emphasize that they would not be conducting immigration sweeps or setting up checkpoints, as some have feared, and that it would take months to put the measures into practice. More than 500 county police officers would need to be trained in the nuances of federal immigration law. Yesterday's vote also approved the creation of a seven-officer Criminal Alien Unit that would work directly with federal immigration agents, the Post reported.

Legal experts say the county policies are untested in court. A group of 22 plaintiffs has filed a lawsuit against the county and its top officials in federal court seeking to block the measures, claiming that they violate equal protection laws and that immigration enforcement is a federal concern, the Post reported.

[paula0708]

Aren''t we missing the big picture here? How horrible to have a human be born into poverty, struggle to overcome it, work hard, and then be faced with the hate evident here today. Aren''t we Christian people? Have we forgotten our faith? I am an American. I love our freedom and our kindness. I will not sit by and let my country become a hateful place that builds walls. The great wall of china, The Berlin wall, and others never worked. Walls don''t work. They don''t keep people out. They keep people in like a prison. Remember the statue of liberty? Our constitution? Our God? That''s who we are. To the immigrants I say welcome! Build with us! Help us move past this horrible hate. It is not a fight for the immigrants to fight alone. It is for the citizens of the US to recognize how our freedoms are taken away every day. The very things that define our country are being taken from us little by little. History always celebrates people who fight for justice and never the haters. Stand up for Freedom and Justice. Those that hate will be judged and defeated...as they always have been. My constitution and my values. There is no place here for you racists. God Bless the USA.

[paula0708]

Aren''t we missing the big picture here? How horrible to have a human being born be born into poverty, struggle to overcome it, work hard, and then be faced with the hate evident here. Aren''t we Christian people? Have we forgotten our faith? I am an American. I love our freedom and our kindness. I will not sit by and let my country become a hateful place that builds walls. The great wall of china, The Berlin wall, and others never worked. Walls don''t work. They don''t keep people out. They keep people in like a prison. Remember the statue of liberty? Our constitution? Our God? That''s who we are. To the immigrants I say welcome. Build with us. Help us move past this horrible hate. History always celebrates people who fight for justice and never the haters. Stand up for Freedom and Justice. Those that hate will be judged and defeated...as they always have been.

[harry_02]

My wife is from another country(AU)we had to pay thousands of dollars and also numerous appointments with a security background check. I am a american citizen. WHat makes these illegals more important than what we have gone thru??This a total disgrace. The illegals dont want to be check in fear of having a background maybe. Illegals need to be legal just like my wife had to. We dont know their backgrounds nor have they paid the proper fees that needs to be filed to be legal. THIS IS NOT RACISM. They use it as a farse to shift the focus over the fact they are ILLEGAL.Just because the Federal Government isnt handling the borders right doesnt make it right that ILLEGALS have snuck over the border an made it DOES NOT MEAN THEY R in the right. We as a STATE do have the right to enforce the welfare of its State especially when the GOVT is slacking. ALso to talk about the children being left behind because they are legal an the parents are not an can be kick out because they are ILLEGAL. The ILLEGALS have created this problem to their children. Dont blame Virginia for establishing a plan to fix the ILLEGAL problem but blame yourself for not becoming legal which would''veprotectedyourchildren.. ITS just ashame because they are racist towards the caucasians for implementing a plan.Itonly shows how they(ILLEGALS) continuely shift the focus when the facts are the facts.YOU are ILLEGAL If you truely love this country then become legal just as my wife has.I am a veteran

[lilathe]

quote from myvirginia "Unless your ancestors are Native American then you are all illegal as far as I''''m concerned."
My family make-up is Indian/hispanic. My citizenship is American. In America, history is required in every school. We as Americans study history to learn from past mistakes so as not to make the same mistakes again.
The American Indian made a genocidal mistake for their race by not stopping the first Europeans that invaded their country. MISTAKE. They should have stopped the invasion before it got out of hand or before unchecked diseases annihilated an entire continent of people.
The United States of America is making the same mistake the American Indians made. Soon it will be too late to stop the invasion. Will Americans be made to walk the "Trail of Tears" soon? Will the "Long Walk" be repeated? Read what "La Raza" (the race) has to say about white, black, asian people and American citizens.

[lev8mysoul-2009]

It''s about time we see a city take the initiative to deal with the criminalien population in such a strong way. LOVE IT and keep it up! I''m so tired of seeing MY country''s resources getting eaten up by people who are committing a crime the instant they cross the border and are not being penalized for it.

[rainnestorm]

For a well written discussion of historical concerns about minority languages in the United States, please check this URL: http://www.watzmann.net/scg/german-by-on
e-vote.html
Posted by tesarra

Well Tesarra I checked out your link and it really doesn''t support your argument. It states "What is clear is that Congress never considered replacing English with any other language or giving any other tongue equal status with English".
No one said they could speak their language too but everyone in American needs to speak English. There is no reason someone who has been here for years cannot and those legally new to hear can learn.

[klingon69]

So if Juan, who is here illegally because he overstayed his visa, is allowed a second chance then why not the others. That is the point we are trying to make. The laws on the book allow some illegals a second chance, but not all.
Posted by myvirginia at 09:07 PM : Oct 17, 2007
Well, Juan was LEGAL and then became illegal. Your "Juan" has never been legal, never will be, if the voters get their way.

[klingon69]

The only person in denial here is you toldyouso21. We chose this life, and we understand the consequences. I would love to stay and chat with all you racists, but I have 2 children to put to bed. Bye for now.
Posted by myvirginia at 08:43 PM : Oct 17, 2007
Ahh, there it is, the old racist statement. Because we don''t want illegals here, now we are racists.
I am glad you made the previous part of this statement, you chose this life and know the consequences. That way you can''t use the "I didn''t know" excuse at your trial.

[klingon69]

Sometimes what is best for the country isn''''t always the will of the people. There are obviously a ton of people that don''''t get the whole picture.
Posted by myvirginia at 08:34 PM : Oct 17, 2007
Ah, but the will of the people is what is supposed to be embodied in our laws. Remember:
"We the people of the United Sates Of America..."
As for the whole picture, let me break it down to you. You are illegal, you are harboring and illegal. If the law is changed it doesn''t mean it will be instantly allowed, first there will be appeals, repeals, and alot of discussion. Actually I doubt any politician will cut their own throat, by allowing these illegals amnesty. They know how fast the voting public will turn on them. Remember what happened durint the great gun bans of the 90s. That''s why we had a Rep controlled Congress for 6 years.

[klingon69]

Wrong again toldyouso21, on job applications in the state I live in it is illegal to ask someones''''s immigration status BEFORE they are hired. We are only allowed to ask "Can you legally work in the US?" We are not allowed to ask when their work authoriation expires unless we hire them first. Not all people that are legal to work have a green card or citzenship. We have (at my job) 25 or so immigrants from various countries in South America that have work visas, but not residency.
Posted by myvirginia at 08:15 PM : Oct 17, 2007
Sweetie, a work visa does give them the right to work LEGALLY in the US. In those cases residency is not needed. However, your hubby doesn''t have a work visa, doesn''t have a green card. In short, he is ILLEGAL, and if this Government will ever do what it is supposed to, he will be gone. Hopefully, they will catch and prosecute/incarcerate any who helped him.

[klingon69]

The US government knows that there are millions of illegal immigrants working here. This is there way of making sure that atleast they get their tax dollars, yet they don''''t want to allow them to use any services that these taxes have paid for.
Posted by myvirginia at 07:59 PM : Oct 17, 2007

Hey, getting to be here should be taxed. Other than that, they knew the risks when they came, let them live with it. Actually, if the Government knows where they are, then we as LEGAL, VOTING citizens should call/write/e-mail...etc our reps and demand that these known invaders be rounded up, and shipped out.

[klingon69]

So, instead of having ordinances to make people keep their lawns clean and tidy or their houses safely maintained, you''''d rather kick children out of school or deny them medical care in the county clinic so this mystical "they" that''''s bothering you will know exactly how unwelcome "they" are?

Posted by tesarra at 05:21 PM : Oct 17, 2007
Yep, Why should legal citizens be put on the back-burner for these ILLEGALS? Hey, guess what, obviously the MAJORITY, doesn''t want them here.

[klingon69]

As a matter of fact, I would love to have a one on one with you Klingon69, just tell me what planet to call.
Posted by myvirginia at 05:08 PM : Oct 17, 2007
Earth, what''s yours, fantasyland?

Sure his employer would get fined for having him work where he does, but that is the risk they take. Atleast he isn''''t using someone else social to work.
Posted by myvirginia at 05:07 PM : Oct 17, 2007
And if we could keep the alphabet groups out of the law, his employer would possibly face jailtime for employing an ILLEGAL.

[klingon69]

It''''s very simple Klingon69, he''''s my husband. I didn''''t help him come here, I met him after the fact. So I didn''''t aid and abett in anything.

If your spouse was speeding yesterday would you flag down the first cop you see to report it tomorrow. No. Unless you have lived the life then you really can''''t make a valid argument.
Wouldn''''t you sleep better at night knowing that the US government knows who these people are and where they live?
Posted by myvirginia at 04:58 PM : Oct 17, 2007
However, you are aiding and abetting him by not reporting him to ICE. As for my wife, contrary to what you pro-lovers say, Invading and destroying a country(and they are) is much worse than speeding. Besides, my wife is a citizen. If she got a speeding ticket, she would pay the penalty. What penalty is your ILLEGAL Alien paying? For that matter what are you paying? Where in the world do you get the idea that the US govt knows where these people are? Why then the amnesty bill back months ago, didn''t all the politicians say it was the govt could know where everyone of them was?

[klingon69]

English "should" always be the main language in the United States? That''''s awfully presumptuous. We have no idea what the ethnic makeup of this country will be in 100 years time. We should have the foresight of our founding fathers and avoid making a decision that future generations will regret.
Posted by tesarra at 04:50 PM : Oct 17, 2007
Since the majority of business done in America is in english, then that should be the language. If the Founding Fathers had foresight they would''ve made the Constitution alot clearer. There should be a language admendment, just to clear up the confusion. In order to receive citizenship, one must take english, history, and government courses. However, that''s for LEGAL immigrants, not these criminal scum who want to invade our country.

[klingon69]

That''''s your definition of anchor baby and for me it''''s offensive. End of story.
Posted by myvirginia at 04:41 PM : Oct 17, 2007

These illegal aliens, and their ANCHOR BABIES are offensive to me.

[Krazcarl]

toldyouso21,,I see you have strong feelings bur your blocking the blog with repeated post give it a rest.

[toldyouso21]

That is what most of you have been stating all along, am I wrong. So if Juan, who is here illegally because he overstayed his visa, is allowed a second chance then why not the others. Posted by myvirginia at 09:07 PM : Oct 17, 2007

Sorry. really must go. That is a loop hole and one that will be closed. The difference like any crime--is all in how you do it--the one had a legal status and overstayed-- but at least he gave lip service to the legal way of doing things---the other never bothered with the process--that shows disrespect from the get go. Why should he get a second chance when he never respected the law in the first place? When a person starts off disrespecting laws or selectively choosing which ones to adapt to--it may be too easy to continue that behavior.

[toldyouso21]

Posted by myvirginia at 09:00 PM : Oct 17, 2007

sorry--I too, must take care of my family--but my last comment--no, it is not a crime to fall in love with anyone--but consider that he had already disregarded and broken American law when you fell in love with him. The crime was first--your choice to justify it and fall in love--second.


No different than many women, to disregard truth and to justify--granting special dispensation to a lover. So---in a real sense you are no different than the woman who falls in love with a thief--but is sure he had his reasons for stealing--or the girl who falls in love with a woman killer--but is sure he would never harm her or that the woman must have deserved it. You make your own justifications and romantic rationale, but I wonder how magnanimous you would remain if your husband had feet of clay and yes--was granted amnesty and then dumped you and skipped out on taking care of you and the kids. You would not be the first woman it happened to, nor the last--the "crime" is your not having your own eyes checked--by keeping them wide open--disrespect for laws and the women who love the men who do it--I''m sure that has been the plot of many a movie. So you join a long line of people in denial--uhmmm...when/if you send the money for him to return illegally-- goodnite.

[myvirginia]

No one ever said I was being preferential towards my hunsband. Some, not all, of the immigration laws aren''t fair.

For example, if Juan comes here from Guatamala on a tourist visa and decides not to return after the time stamped on his I9 then he becomes illegal and his visa is revoked. But he is allowed to fall in love, marry a US citizen and change his status from illegal to legal residency even though he is in the country illegally because he has a revoked tourist visa. Illegal is illegal correct? That is what most of you have been stating all along, am I wrong. So if Juan, who is here illegally because he overstayed his visa, is allowed a second chance then why not the others. That is the point we are trying to make. The laws on the book allow some illegals a second chance, but not all.