Immigration Crackdown Unanimously Approved|ABC 7 News

text size: A | A | A

Immigration Crackdown Unanimously Approved

posted 1:50 pm Wed October 17, 2007 - Woodbridge, Va.

tags: immigration • prince william • illegal

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously early Wednesday morning to deny 14 county services to illegal immigrants, following a 12-hour public hearing that drew 400 speakers and 1,200 demonstrators. Supervisors did not vote until after 2:30 a.m.

The hearing convened at 2 p.m., with each speaker given a maximum of three minutes. Many people made passionate pleas.

Please Upgrade To Flash!

ABC 7 News - Immigration Crackdown Unanimously Approved

related stories:

"Our communities are suffering; the blood's being sucked out of us financially and it needs to end," said crackdown supporter Greg Jones during his speaking time.

"That kind of behavior is self-destructive, based on racial, discriminating motives that mocks our human dignity," said Roberto Rodriquez, who opposes the crackdown.

At the conclusion of the vote, as the resolution was adopted, one woman in the audience stood up and shouted at the lawmakers.

"Thank you for taking care of my children when they are motherless, fatherless," she said. "Thank you for that. You will burn in hell for this."

Those both for and against the crackdown lined the sidewalks outside the Prince William County's McCourt Government Center in Woodbridge. At times, things became heated. Police broke up at least one scuffle.

The resolution cuts off 14 county services to illegal immigrants, including access to senior centers, tax relief programs for the elderly and disabled, adult day care, business licenses, and even tax exemptions for home renovations.

Last week, the County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new, $14 million police department policy under which officers could check the immigration status of those detained even for minor infractions.

Supervisors on Wednesday again postponed the matter of how to secure long-term funding for the plan, estimated at $2.5 million a year, which includes allowing police to check the residency status of anyone arrested in the county and improve cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Jayson Compton, a member of the anti-illegal immigration group Help Save Manassas, said the county's tight finances should not stop it from implementing the new policies. He suggested that illegal immigration would cost the county more in the long run.

"If we do nothing, we're going to be buried in red ink, in budget shortfalls," he told the board.

But opponents of the measure say it is not their last stand.

"I'm not disappointed because I'm not surprised," said crackdown opponent Esteban Garces. "I pretty much knew it was going to go this way. But I'm very grateful that we have very brilliant lawyers looking into this that are going to be very successful when they bring this to court"

Immigration Crackdown Unanimously Approved

Extra police were on hand to keep things from getting out of hand.

An estimated 1,200 people gathered for the hearing, mostly opponents of the crackdown.

After the unanimous vote, one woman angrily denounced the council, telling them they will "burn in hell" for their decision.

Latest Comment on Immigration Crackdown Unanimously Approved

Prettyboy

4:48 pm on 10/19/07

EtchAstech..as I said, if you don't like my posts..NO ONE IS TWISTING YOUR ARM OR HOLDING A GUN TO YOUR HEAD TO READ THEM! Vick is a sick man. Any man, woman or child who would just go out and kill dogs is in need of professional help. Animals did nothing to him but the illegals have! They are here mooching and taking money out of those who work daily. I am truly sick of it. I don't want my tax dollars in their pockets. If they are here legally it's fine and dandy with me and yes.. I am willing to go and do battle to remove them.

» report abuse

read all comments

You need to be a registered member of
ABC 7 News to leave comments on news stories.

Not a member yet? Click Here to sign up.

Please leave your comments below:

Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privileges. Please do not post any private information unless you want it to be available publicly. Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.

The 'RUNNING MAN' icon is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc.