Manassas, Va., Oct. 20, 2007
Towns Experiment With Anti-Immigrant Laws
While One Passes A Law Cracking Down On Illegal Immigrants, Another Throws Theirs Away
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Play CBS Video Video Illegal Immigrants Under Fire Tensions ran high in Manassas, Va., after city officials passed a measure that cuts off services to illegal immigrants in an effort to force them out of town. Joie Chen reports.
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(CBS)
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Photo Essay Immigration Rallies Demonstrators demand path to citizenship for estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.
Long simmering tensions came to a head this week when more than a thousand people packed a county board meeting.
“This country is being invaded no less than if hordes of armed people came across its borders,” said one speaker.
“I fought for this country, across here, which one of you fought for this country?” asked another. “And now you're sitting down there trying to pass a bill that will -- you know what? Forget the bill,” the man said, stalking off the podium.
“It's we the people of the United States, not we the illegal!” countered a third speaker.
The marathon session raged until 2:30 a.m., when officials unanimously passed what they call the nation's most aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration. The law:
“Eventually, I think what's going to happen is you're going to see a flight of illegal immigrants from Prince William County,” said Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
Nearly three dozen communities across the country have taken matters into their own hands and passed laws aimed at curbing illegal immigration. But there have been some unintended consequences.
Just over a year ago, city leaders in Riverside, N.J., voted to punish employers and landlords of undocumented workers and saw the impact almost immediately.
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“People were ruled by fear,” said David Verduin, who heads a group of landlords and business owners in the town. “A lot of immigrants stopped coming downtown, and even people from outside of town didn't come in because they were afraid.”Eventually, I think what's going to happen is you're going to see a flight of illegal immigrants from Prince William County.
Corey Stewart, chairman, Prince William County Board of SupervisorsSome businesses lost as much as half of their income, and immigrant rights groups sued, costing the city tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
A few weeks ago, Riverside rescinded its ordinance.
“We're looking at other ways to address those issues,” said George Saponaro, the township’s attorney.
In Virginia, they’re pushing ahead anyway.
“We can no longer afford not to do anything about illegal immigration,” said Stewart. “It has come to the point where it has seriously degraded the quality of life in the community.”
Still, legal challenges are underway, and some stores already report a drop-off in business.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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- According to Paul Samuelson, the economist, the USA must select who get to immigrate to the USA. What we need, like the WW2 generation did, is to get the best and the brighest from around the world. They add more to the economy then they take out and then we can have some low skilled immigrants who traditionally are a net drain on society for at least a generation.
The real problem is Mexico. If we deport 20 million or so, Mexico will not be able to cope. At the moment, the amount the illegals send home, plus US tourism total about 90% of Mexico''s GNP. The other 10% is oil which is almost depleted.
We should consider setting up a mico loan program for those illegals self deporting back so they can start up businesses. We could also provide the assistance in business expertise though the peace corp or volunteers.
What is interesting is that the illegals, no matter how long they have lived in the USA, do not seem to have a clue why our system works and their''s does not; the rule of law. We should fully educate them on the prinicples needed to create a first world country.With classeson business before they return, plus support, it might help Mexico develop an economy of its own. - Reply to this comment
- ILLGALS ARE NOT CITZENS OF THIS NATION UNTIL THEY RAISE THEIR RIGHT PAW TO TAKE THE OATH TO BE NATIONALISED. THEY ARE NOT. YER LEARN OUR TOUGE..THAT BEING ENGLISH..READ AND WRITE THE SAME..WE COULD SAVE MONEY NOT PUTTING EVERY THING IN TOUGES OTHER NATIONS..YER WANT TO LIVE HERE LEARN OUR WAYS..
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- these so called Mexican illegals are trying to work and be good honest citizens.
The U S illegals (troops) are destroying and killing pretty well all over the world.
Posted by middleman8 at 01:27 AM : Oct 22, 2007
First and foremost, middleman8, they are not "so called illegals" -- they ARE in fact ILLEGAL ALIENS who entered this country in violation of the laws of this country. Second -- they ARE NOT citizens of the United States! Third -- they brazenly commit a FELONY when using fraudulent or stolen documents to secure work in this country! Tax evasion is also a FELONY, which is the crime they commit when working under the table for cash only! Fourth -- an overwhelming majority of U.S. citizens disagree with the war in Iraq but DO support our troops/sons and daughters fighting there. Your "so called Mexican illegals" include many criminal aliens who have killed more people than the wars in Iraq and Afganistan combined, not to mention the destruction done to our deserts, parks and neighborhoods. - Reply to this comment
- I was raised to fly the flag that being USA.
Thank our vets..That I still do. If I see member of our armed forces and we meet them I thank them.
What is means to be American is place my paw over my heart say the pledge with meaming and stand as one. We the people,by the people and for the people. An Amreican we are but it is so sad that the illegals will not know that until they wish join us.. ONE PEOPLE..ALL AMERICAN AND SPEAKING ENGLISH..In their home they may do as they see fit..as their touge.. - Reply to this comment
- Who can really make any kind of fair or just argument as to why illegal immigrants who came here as minors should be denied American citizenship?Posted by gretagreen at 09:23 PM : Oct 21, 2007
U.S. citizens can! Rewarding minor illegal aliens encourages MORE illegal immigration! - Reply to this comment
- these so called Mexican illegals are trying to work and be good honest citizens.
The U S illegals (troops) are destroying and killing pretty well all over the world. - Reply to this comment
- Communism, I mean "ComDumism":
Fortunately, their are very few of you and many more of US!! It has NOTHING to do with which party you''re in, nor does it have anything to do with homosexuality in America. It has to do with the rule of law, something you obviously don''t value or have any interest in. As far as you''re concerned, "Let there be civil war in the streets!" Right, man? WRONG!! Every single and married illegal alien must leave the United States...PRONTO!! That''s not yesterday, last week or last month--that''s TO-DAY!! Our country will go back to being America again. God bless America!! - Reply to this comment
- i feel for the children and if they learn our ways and want to be American than they must ask for the tests and pass them and become nationalised so they can enjoy what it is to American..We are one nation that being the US of A. We speak one touge that being english..We read read and write english. That is America...
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- Posted by sbbm
SAME situation here in Colorado...I don''''t understand where these people come up with the idea that the poor illegal gets nothing???
Perhaps from the same source that Republicon America haters tell US that the $9 TRLLION US debt means nothing, too? - Reply to this comment
- Paaaaahhhhleeze posting ConDumbs, name one minority, besides Chinese Americans, that will be voting with over 50% of their base for a lily white male Republicon? Your answer was correct: NONE! I must again thank the Republicon Neocon Fundametally ill basen that without their hate filled support, I might still be as homophoebic as they are.
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- Posted by marcpcbs
Im not sure what story book your getting your info from but all of your info is wrong.
You are reicht! Since 1981, Ronald Reagans failed War on Drugs policies has instead populated American Courts (AND PRISONS) with Fascist jinGOPig judges who agree that drug testing in the workplace without reasonable cause is legal. It is no wonder that November, 2008 will be Americas "Anybody but a Republicon" election. - Reply to this comment
- trillion1
" Actually the government is going after marijuana much more actively than illegals. Hundreds of thousands of arrests every year. Mostly for non violent possession. "
I''m not sure what story book your getting your info from but all of your info is wrong. It''s not hundreds of thousands. And the feds aren''t the ones making the arrests. Our schools are full of pot because the growers are buying off local law enforcement. And the feds don''t do anything. I''ve lived in Mendocino Co. CA for the last 22 years and I''ve seen how this works. I know the growers and I know the cops they pay for.
And our kids are the losers. - Reply to this comment
- We all should pray for Josh and tell him we are proud and thankful for him and what he does. He is a valued person willing to put his life on the line for our freedom. Thanks to Josh''s family it is not easy for them either. Thanks to all who fight for our freedom....God Bless..
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- greatgreen it is different in flordia as the illegal DO get goverment help here in Indiana. You can be an illegal and recieve free lunch and breakfasts thru the public schools if income brackets are met. You can also get free assistance thru the w.i.c. program and also get free food, baby formula ect. citizenship is not a condition. There are many whom are illegal who recieve food stamps here most likely illegally obtained. Our grand city is running outta money trying to keep up funding all these programs to where people like myself are voulnteer e.m.s. responders, because there is not enough money to pay us. But when you dial 9-1-1 it is nice to know someone is on the way for you. Alot of people do not have insurance but mostly hispanics are usually a write off. You can not track em they move alot and give false names but as gretagreen said public hospital even here can not turn you away so either taxes pay their bill or it is written off. no b/s scary story tellin here as my family works in law enforcement, medical field and county departments. This is true stuff!!They also get free text book rental from the schools. Free health care for their s.t.d''s and medications from the health dept, as well as free vaccinations
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- We''''ll pray for Joshua, and you tell him and his troop Thank you from us...
Posted by sbbm at 11:05 PM : Oct 21, 2007
I second that motion abbm. G-night all, bedtime for me. - Reply to this comment
- It is a good idea, the only fear I have with that is the Tim McVey''''s of the nation get tossed in the mix...but I guess ya got them in every military -
Posted by sbbm at 10:55 PM : Oct 21, 2007
Yo abbm, good to see you also. I figured that anyone that had to put his life on the line for the home he chose would be less likely to disrespect it or bomb it. - Reply to this comment
- MichelleM99 you may have misunderstood my point I am for mexicans to speak english as this is our language. I agree go by our standards or please go home.
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- His name is Joshua Tool and thank you!
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- Posted by liberalme at 10:54 PM : Oct 21, 2007
If you have nothing against it, I will pray for him. If you don''t mind telling me his first name it will be helpful. And no! I am not some nut, I merely believe in GOD from personal experience. - Reply to this comment
- The reason I agree with you toolmaker is, I have a grandson that has been in Iraq and was supposed to go back this month. He is now on "standby" and we don''t know why!
Iran comes to mind and it scares me to no end--yes let the illegals have something to be proud of, defend the country they want to live in! - Reply to this comment
