Crowding Bill Given Slim Odds In Virginia

The city is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that it illegally targeted Hispanic families with previous zoning legislation. The U.S. Department of Education also is looking into complaints that the city's school system illegally released student information to zoning inspectors.

The Manassas City Council has also asked for reimbursement of the training and operational costs of an Immigration Customs and Enforcement 287(g) program that would train local police or corrections officers to initiate deportation proceedings for illegal immigrants convicted of certain crimes.

Manassas Police Chief John J. Skinner said that he would recommend a regional task force. If the city moved forward with a plan to train local officers, the unit could cost about $522,000 in its first year, he said.

"If you put this in for Manassas, $500,000 for Manassas, it doesn't stand a ghost of a chance," said Colgan, who said the bill should be for a statewide initiative.

Colgan and Miller were among six General Assembly members who listened to the community's policy suggestions Tuesday evening. The audience was split on the ICE proposal.

Several residents said local police officers should not be trained for federal responsibilities. One was Hank Azais, 70, of Bristow who owns a business in Manassas.

"Overburdening the police department is not the correct way to go," he said.

Others had the opposite opinion.

"I think it's a good idea. It is not an extra duty for police. It is incorporated into their duties," said Maureen Wood, a 45-year-old city resident. "If the federal government was doing their job, we wouldn't be dealing with this."