Connolly navigates illegal immigration minefield
By: William C. Flook
Examiner Staff Writer
November 9, 2009
For Gerry Connolly, the Fairfax County board chairman, denouncing illegal immigration hawks to the south was a safe prospect in the heavily Democratic suburb. But since rising to Congress, in an 11th District that dips into the more conservative Prince William County, the freshman Democrat has toughened his rhetoric on the subject.
Connolly has staked out a position as a proponent of health care reform whose support falls short of allowing illegal immigrants access to expanded government programs. He told the Hill newspaper, "I have to be able to reassure my constituents that those who are here illegally cannot avail themselves of the provisions provided in this health care bill."
The stance puts Connolly at odds with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the most liberal wing of his own party. But taking a more permissive tack would present more difficulties among a constituency that has elected some of Virginia's most bellicose anti-illegal-immigrant leaders in recent years, including Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart. Connolly and Stewart frequently sniped at each other as board chairmen over the other county's illegal-immigration policies.
Tuesday's election signaled that the 11th District, once thought to be shifting blue, is still heavily disputed territory. While the district broke for Barack Obama over John McCain 57 to 42 percent in last year's presidential election, it swung back in this year's governor's race to support Republican Bob McDonnell over Democrat Creigh Deeds by 11 points.
Connolly is one of several freshman Democratic congressmen in Virginia with the GOP's target sign on their backs for the 2010 midterm elections, and his vote on the massive health care bill in front of Congress will be closely watched.
His stance -- that those in the country illegally shouldn't have access to national health programs -- is "consistent with the way most folks I talk to feel about the issue," said Prince William County Supervisor Marty Nohe, a Republican who represents the Coles District.
"And that's both individuals who have taken a very tough anti-illegal immigration position, and those who have taken a more open position to how immigration should be handled," Nohe said.
