New Faces, Accents Reshaping County

Yet their presence in Fairfax's civic life remains scant. Few serve on the county's more than 70 appointed boards, authorities and commissions -- although it is often difficult to find anyone to fill certain vacancies, let alone someone from a racial or ethnic minority.

A handful, such as Moon, have made it to elective or appointed office. Former School Board chairman Isis M. Castro was Virginia's first Hispanic elected official; Rita Thompson, an African American, held an at-large seat on the School Board; Young Duek Ahn, a Korean, lost a run for Mason District supervisor in 2003. Rick Gonzalez, a Latino immigrant, made an unsuccessful Democratic primary bid to oppose state Sen. James K. "Jay" O'Brien (R).

Some of the hurdles they have faced include economic and language barriers. Newcomers and their offspring are devoting their energies to establishing their own lives, with little left over to scale the ladder of PTAs, neighborhood associations and campaign work that often leads to appointed or elected positions.

Catherine M. Hudgins, the county's lone minority supervisor, said more can be done to bring new citizens into civic and political life.

"We have to help people feel comfortable and make sure that the welcome mat really does mean welcome," said Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill).

She said she would like to see the county expand citizen training programs such as Neighborhood College, which offers classes in how local government works.

Arlington County Board member Walter Tejada (D) said there is no substitute for immersion into what he called "the culture of politics" -- building coalitions, working on issues, finding a candidate to get excited about.

"Leaders don't just pop up," he said. "At the end of the day, these things don't come out of the blue."

Tejada said what was most exciting about the recent burst of activism over national immigration policy was the galvanizing effect it seemed to have on young people.

"Today we march, tomorrow we vote," he said, borrowing one of their rallying cries.

Burgan, the aide to Gross, has studied immigrant voter turnout in Fairfax and said participation by new citizens is growing.

"I believe we have a responsibility to participate in the political process in our newly adopted country," he said.

"You have a responsibility to give back."