Towns Experiment With Anti-Immigrant Laws

(CBS)  Here in Manassas, home of the first battle of the Civil War, passions are once again hitting fever pitch. This time, illegal immigration has ignited a fury between long-time residents and a rapidly growing population of newcomers, reports CBS News correspondent Joie Chen.

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:

creates a multi-million dollar police "criminal alien unit" in the county

demands officers check suspects' immigration status

and limits county services for undocumented residents.

"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.

"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."

Some 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A few weeks ago, Riverside rescinded its ordinance.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.

[bettybb2]

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.

[michellem99-2009]

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..

[indpndtone]

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.

[michellem99-2009]

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..

[indpndtone]

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!

[middleman8]

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.

[levotb]

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!!

[michellem99-2009]

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...

[condumism]

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?

[condumism]

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.