A controversial proposal denying illegal immigrants county services and making it easier to deport those who break the law is up for a vote Tuesday, making Prince William County a battleground in the national debate over immigration reform.
Supervisor John Stirrup introduced a measure designed to be among the toughest in the nation, fueled by community uproar over illegal immigration and the lack of congressional action.
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“We’re going to vote … to make sure that anybody who’s receiving services administered by the county is a legal citizen or resident of the United States,” Chairman Corey Stewart told The Examiner. “It sends a very hard message that we’re going to do whatever we can as a county to stem illegal immigration.”
But on the eve of Tuesday’s decision, county officials are raising questions about its impact on the county’s police, overcrowded jails and whether it could spur expensive legal action. The tensions in the county reflect a rapidly growing Hispanic immigrant population. Census figures indicate the number of Hispanics in Prince William County has grown from 10 percent in 2000 to nearly 20 percent.
The county executive, county attorney, police chief and jail superintendent all voiced concerns about the plan in reports to the Board of Supervisors Friday.
“We will not be able to see the wholesale deportation of illegal immigrants from our community anytime soon,” County Executive Craig S. Gerhart wrote in his report. “The board’s policies and the community’s expectations need to recognize that reality.”
County Attorney Ross G. Horton said the proposal raises legal questions he wanted to address with them privately, in closed session. Police Chief Charlie T. Deane asked how much the resolution could achieve.
“Illegal immigration is first and foremost a national problem that can be best addressed through national strategies,” Deane wrote. He suggested the proposal could strike fear among crime victims and witnesses if they thought their residency would be questioned. But county leaders say it is past time to do something about illegal immigration.
The anti-illegal-immigration group Help Save Manassas has grown to more than 100 members since its establishment earlier this year. The group says illegal immigration is partially to blame for overcrowded homes and schools, gang activity and decreasing quality of life.
The provision in the proposal requiring immigration verification for county services may be amended to exclude public schools, which would otherwise violate a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Supervisor Maureen Caddigan, R-Dumfries, said she believes it can be done without crossing legal boundaries. “Our attorneys will share with us what we can and cannot do,” she said. “Something has to be done and Congress, obviously, has not done it.”
