Prince William County Illegal Immigration Measure

If you remember, it wasn't so long ago that the officials in Prince William County, Virginia had their hands slapped for taking immigration law into their own hands. But today one of the nation's toughest local crackdowns was unanimously approved to control illegal immigration by lawmakers there. A 12-hour hearing included testimony and a few shouting matches.

What Can the Police Do to Illegal Immigrants?

What will happen is the county now has the authority to deny some services to illegal aliens, like business licenses, assistance for housing and services for older people. It was the Board of Supervisors that sent money to the police department in Prince William County so they would have the manpower to check if a person was here legally, or not.

Can I Sue the Police for Questioning an Illegal Immigrant?

Already twenty-two plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit in federal court trying to block the new law. They say these measures simply violate equal protection laws - and since the Feds aren't doing much in the way of immigration - immigration enforcement, according to them, should be a federal matter.

The reason the meeting took so long is because there were over 400 residents, many who spoke for and against the new measure - this went past 2 AM Wednesday morning. And there was turmoil in the streets as opposing sides clashed before the Tuesday meeting. Some 1200 people crowded near the government complex. Many were children of immigrants asking board members as they passed by not to hurt their parents. One woman ran out of the meeting in tears saying this measure would cause the separation of her and her daughter.

So that racial profiling doesn't start to take place in Prince William County, supervisors added a resolution addressing the cost, fairness and public confusion. There will be a public education campaign for the immigrant communities that will allow them to learn more in their own language locally. Still, discrimination may ensue.

Supporters of the new measure claim illegal aliens are breaking the law. Some ask how they can demand services, rights and mandatory citizenship? Who invited them, they ask. They have no rights - none, cried another.