By Christy Goodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 7, 2006

Manassas is unlikely to get any help from the state when it comes to its problem with illegal immigration.

Sen. Charles J. Colgan (D-Prince William) told the City Council at a luncheon Monday that two of the city's legislative priorities -- to combat crowding and to train local law enforcement to expedite federal deportation proceedings -- will be tough to sell to the Virginia General Assembly.

Manassas Park's top legislative priority for 2007 also is crowding.

The Manassas City Council requested legislation that would strengthen the city's ability to enforce single-family zoning districts.

"It is a matter of health. It is a matter of safety. And it is a matter of public welfare that we ought to maintain that single-family district," said City Manager Lawrence D. Hughes.

"It has already been before the Senate. An explosion took place," said Colgan, the state's senior senator, referring to legislation introduced and withdrawn by former senator Leslie L. Byrne several years ago.

Byrne's bill met fierce opposition from minorities, who said the measure would give localities the right to discriminate, Colgan said. The senator said a study "would probably receive a much better reception" than a bill on what he called a controversial issue.

"There is a desire to see something happen, and that obviously equates to legislation as opposed to a study commission," said City Attorney Robert W. Bendall. He added that a study looking at all issues related to crowding and illegal immigration could bring interested parties together to "find a solution that addresses the needs."

Freshman state Del. Jackson H. Miller (R-Prince William), who ran on a platform opposing illegal immigration, said he plans to introduce the legislation.

"Obviously, I would like to see action, but if it goes to a legislative study and we can obtain more information to improve the legislation, I'm all for that as well," said Miller.

Colgan also noted that prior attempts by city officials to regulate crowding were unsuccessful.

"I understand the problem, but you live within the Constitution," he said.

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."