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In the News

One county’s struggle and success with immigration reform

A 2007 ordinance on immigrants turned Prince William County into an ideological war zone. The policy was modified and the county’s progress could be considered a template for what can be achieved.

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Feb. 3, 2013

People gather for music and dancing at the Palace in Woodbridge. Prince William County was a key battleground for immigration in the Washington area. Now the area is home to many working- and middle-class immigrants, both legal and not.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Bianca Castro of Alexandria and Gio Merlos of Hyattsville share a laugh at the Palace in Woodbridge.

Feb. 3, 2013

Bianca Castro of Alexandria and Gio Merlos of Hyattsville share a laugh at the Palace in Woodbridge.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Party-goers gather for music and dancing at the Palace in Woodbridge. As Congress struggles with how to handle the nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants, Prince William’s remarkable journey offers a lesson in compromise.

Feb. 3, 2013

Party-goers gather for music and dancing at the Palace in Woodbridge. As Congress struggles with how to handle the nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants, Prince William’s remarkable journey offers a lesson in compromise.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Timothy Smith, left, of Woodbridge and Devon Goeller of Lorton talk between rounds of pool at Hard Times Cafe in Woodbridge. “I think immigration is great,” Goeller said, “but if you're going to want to live here, in my personal opinion, you should want to become a citizen. And if there’s ways for the government to help you become a citizen, take them.”

Feb. 4, 2013

Timothy Smith, left, of Woodbridge and Devon Goeller of Lorton talk between rounds of pool at Hard Times Cafe in Woodbridge. “I think immigration is great,” Goeller said, “but if you're going to want to live here, in my personal opinion, you should want to become a citizen. And if there’s ways for the government to help you become a citizen, take them.”

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Jennifer Martinez, hostess and daughter of the restaurant’s owner, pinches the cheek of Montserrat Ruiz, 3 months, who is being held by her father, Edwin Ruiz of Woodbridge, at Dona Tere Restaurant in Manassas. The child’s mother, Darsy Portillo, is seated next to restaurant owner Joel Martinez.

Feb. 3, 2013

Jennifer Martinez, hostess and daughter of the restaurant’s owner, pinches the cheek of Montserrat Ruiz, 3 months, who is being held by her father, Edwin Ruiz of Woodbridge, at Dona Tere Restaurant in Manassas. The child’s mother, Darsy Portillo, is seated next to restaurant owner Joel Martinez.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Families wait to see tax consultants at Union Hispana Multiservices in Woodbridge.

Feb. 2, 2012

Families wait to see tax consultants at Union Hispana Multiservices in Woodbridge.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Families wait to see tax consultants at Union Hispana Multiservices in Woodbridge.

Feb. 2, 2013

Families wait to see tax consultants at Union Hispana Multiservices in Woodbridge.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Isai Flores Diaz, 5, of Woodbridge has his eyes checked at the ophthalmology office of Pakistani immigrant Babur B. Lateef in Woodbridge. Diaz’s father, Carlos Flores, is seated in the background.

Feb. 4, 2013

Isai Flores Diaz, 5, of Woodbridge has his eyes checked at the ophthalmology office of Pakistani immigrant Babur B. Lateef in Woodbridge. Diaz’s father, Carlos Flores, is seated in the background.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Isai Flores Diaz, 5, who came to the United States from Mexico, looks at himself in a pair of glasses.

Feb. 4, 2013

Isai Flores Diaz, 5, who came to the United States from Mexico, looks at himself in a pair of glasses.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Nadia Qasim of Pakistan watches over her family as they’re helped by clerk Nancy Albaiza of El Salvador during a visit to eye doctor Babur B. Lateef’s office. Lateef immigrated from Pakistan.

Feb. 4, 2013

Nadia Qasim of Pakistan watches over her family as they’re helped by clerk Nancy Albaiza of El Salvador during a visit to eye doctor Babur B. Lateef’s office. Lateef immigrated from Pakistan.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Families shop for produce at Todos Supermarket in Woodbridge.

Feb. 2, 2013

Families shop for produce at Todos Supermarket in Woodbridge.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Men gather to play pool at Milano Pizza in Manassas.

Feb. 3, 2013

Men gather to play pool at Milano Pizza in Manassas.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

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President Obama gets personal about race and manhood in a speech to graduates of historically black Morehouse College.

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Many seminary graduates are choosing not to become pastors. Rebecca J. Cole received her Master of Divinity and is becoming a community organizer on Capitol Hill. She hugs another graduate after the ceremony. The 2013 Commencement ceremony for Wesley Theological Seminary was held on May 13 at the Washington National Cathedral. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

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