Anti-Immigration Forces Focus on Herndon

Herndon Mayor Michael L. O'Reilly supports the proposed hiring hall near the Loudoun County border -- and the $170,000 from Fairfax County that would help fund it.

"If all everybody wants to talk about is national immigration policy, then they're in the wrong forum," O'Reilly said. "The issue our council is trying to address is too many people on a street corner looking for work."

Speakers at a Planning Commission hearing last month were told they could not testify about the day-laborer site if they brought up immigration policy.

"It's unfortunate that a fellow from Sacramento is so concerned about our community," said O'Reilly, referring to Williams's show.

Williams also appeared on the Fox cable channel's morning news show Wednesday to talk about Herndon. He has never been there, but last week he urged listeners opposed to day laborers to "melt the switchboard" at the town clerk's office. The phone system was overwhelmed with calls, and the town manager unplugged the phone lines for four days.

"For me to walk into Herndon, that was a piece of cake," said Williams, who frequently takes on the issue of illegal immigration in his home state.

Core, the WMAL host, called the town a "beachhead," however unwitting, on which opponents of illegal immigration can focus their frustration.

"Herndon is caught in a wave, whether they wanted to be or not," he said. "A pressure valve has been released."

Core said he plans to broadcast his 6 to 9 p.m. show Tuesday from Herndon.