Arlington Won't Follow Tough Immigration Policy
posted 12:59 pm Wed September 19, 2007 - ARLINGTON, Va.
The Prince William board passed a resolution in July instructing police to check the immigration status of all violators if there is probable cause and instructing county staff to look at what kind of county services could be denied to illegal immigrants. Neighboring Loudoun County followed suit with a similar resolution seeking to deny services.
The Arlington County Board on Tuesday called the efforts "politically inspired" and "irresponsible."
The five board members, all Democrats, unanimously backed a resolution calling on elected officials elsewhere to "promote the integration of immigrants" instead of enacting rules they said would be divisive.
They said the county would continue to prosecute illegal immigrants who commit crimes and report them to federal officials. But they said they would do so in a way that treats all residents "with human dignity and respect."
"We will not engage in divisive tactics," said the board's vice chairman, J. Walter Tejada, a naturalized citizen who was born in El Salvador. "I was never more proud to be an Arlingtonian than I am Wednesday."
At Prince William County's board meeting Tuesday, Deane presented his plan for stepped-up immigration enforcement.
Some supervisors expressed concern about the cost of having police check the immigration status of people detained for shoplifting, traffic violations or other misdemeanors - projected to be about $14.2 million over five years. In the past, such checks had been limited to people suspected of more serious crimes.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia criticized the proposal, saying it implies that everyone in the county must carry proof of legal residency at all times. The group also expressed concern that the policy may be unconstitutional because it would allow police to extend someone's time in detention while they investigate immigration status.
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Information from: The Washington Post
Latest Comment on Arlington Won't Follow Tough Immigration Policy
raven
4:31 pm on 09/23/07
Like previous posters, i think November will be an awakening for some politians locally. Way to go Prince Williams.
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