Resolution on Illegal Immigration

Here are excerpts from the resolution that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors is scheduled to consider Tuesday:

· The board "has determined that illegal immigration is causing economic hardship and lawlessness" and that "illegal immigration may be encouraged by public agencies within the county by failing to verify immigration status as a condition of providing public services."

· Under the resolution, "county police officers shall inquire into the citizenship or immigration status of any person detained for a violation of a state law or municipal ordinance, regardless of the person's national origin, ethnicity or race where such inquiry does not expand the duration of the detention."

"In all such cases where a person indicates that he or she is not a citizen or national of the United States, the police department shall verify whether or not the person is lawfully present in the United States. . . .

"If the person is verified to be unlawfully present in the United States, the police department shall cooperate with any request by federal immigration authorities to detain the alien or transfer the alien to the custody of the federal government."

· No county employee may be prohibited from "sending, receiving or maintaining" information about the immigration status of any person or exchanging such information with any federal, state or local government for the purpose of determining eligibility for "any federal, state or local public benefit, service or license which is restricted . . . to persons who are not United States citizens or non-qualified aliens."

SOURCE: Supervisor John T. Stirrup Jr. (R-Gainesville)