Adult illegal immigrants should be banned from Carroll County by law, says Commissioner Michael Zimmer.
He says the county?s state delegation should pass a law against adult illegal immigrants in Carroll, and he is asking his fellow commissioners to encourage them to take action. In a commission form of government, the state lawmakers must pass the law.
“It?s important to sort of send the message that if you?re a legal resident, you?re welcome here in Carroll County,” Zimmer said. “If your not, it?s not a good situation.”
The law would require proof of legal county residence or citizenship to receive county services, Zimmer said, from social services to libraries to trash pickup.
He stressed that it would apply only to adults because children don?t have a choice whether they are illegal.
“You?re an adult, and you?re not in this county legally, you?re not here legally, but why are our taxpayers? money and dollars going to pay for you?” Zimmer asked.
Federal law prohibits education to be withheld based on citizenship.
Two nearby counties, Loudoun and Prince William, both Northern Virginia jurisdictions, have enacted similar legislation against illegal immigrants.
A lawsuit recently filed by civil rights groups against Prince William County argues it is illegal to force police to check citizenship in common traffic stops.
Despite such obstacles in other counties, Zimmer feels strongly enough to push forward on the local level.
Zimmer requested a public hearing and more discussion with various county departments.
Commissioner Dean Minnich wanted to take action against illegal immigrants, but not before studying the issue further.
“We need to deal with the issue of illegal immigration ? we do, that?s a given, that?s the easy part,” Minnich said. “We don?t know how many are here because we can?t count them.”
