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.

Fake or False Social Security Numbers

When interviewed, Juan said that he would not stoop to using a fake Social Security number, because false Social Security numbers would only make it more difficult to land a Green Card and permanent residence later on. Juan was smart and came to this country with enough money to keep him independent, and pay for an Immigration Lawyer so he can get his Permanent Visa.

But we're hearing from Washington, that even this week, federal authorities are going to make life miserable for those with fake Social Security numbers and those who hire people who have false Social Security numbers. The new rule would force employers to automatically fire those employees, illegal immigrants who got the job using a fake Social Security number. The new rules will be enforced by raids across the United States on suspect businesses.

The Department of Homeland Security proposed these rules last year, but as we all know what happened with the debate in Congress regarding the immigration bill, the rules were put on hold. But now, the Department of Homeland Security says they will enforce the new rules, and they don't need the bill.

What this means is that if you are employed, but have a fake Social Security number - chances are - you eventually will be caught. The days of waiting for amnesty are gone for now. There won't be another vote on something that will allow you to stay in America until after the elections. And the raids are praised by the conservatives.

Republicans have demanded that the administration do more regarding illegal immigration. They say if only they would enforce the laws, everything would be fine. But what will happen next?

We think that millions of businesses that employ illegal aliens will protest these raids. We feel they will petition Congress to do something about the 6 million illegal aliens that work in the United States. Congress will discuss the measure and force the administration to ease off the raids on businesses with illegal aliens. But Congress will not address the immigration bill until after the election in 2008.

Russ Knocke of the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday, "We are tough and we are going to be even tougher. There are not going to be any more excuses for employers, and there will be serious consequences for those that choose to blatantly disregard the law."

Employers receive letters from the Social Security Administration saying that the number they have provided from the employee does not match. Employers have been for the most part, disregarding these letters. But now employers, especially those who harvest crops, say they are concerned.

Over 70 percent of workers on farms here in the United States are illegal immigrants. Experts believe that the government will visit these places first as an easy target. We agree.

It's only a matter of time.