City Splits With Its Neighbors On Immigration Crackdown

The Manassas Park City Council criticized "a small faction of citizens" this week for what it called "irresponsible and offensive" statements about local immigration policies, approving an official position that sets the small suburb apart from neighbors seeking to step up enforcement against illegal immigration.

The position statement, unanimously approved Tuesday night, declared: "The City believes most residents in Manassas Park are legally present and moved to this area to create a better life for their respective families." It added that the city of 11,600, bordered by Manassas and Prince William County, "will continue to work aggressively with federal and state agencies to address all criminal activity."

With the vote and in their public comments, Manassas Park council members made clear that they would not follow in the footsteps of Manassas City Council members and supervisors in Prince William and Loudoun counties. Those jurisdictions have approved resolutions that direct local officials to take steps to address illegal immigration.

"Last I checked, I don't think Manassas Park specifically was responsible for closing the borders," council member Keith Miller (R) said. Mayor Frank Jones (I) said Manassas Park can't afford to take on a federal issue, citing potential legal expense. And Vice Mayor Bryan E. Polk (R) said the city will use "legal, effective methods to combat the problem" of illegal immigration and not "subject the community to trial-and-error lawmaking that will only serve to breed confusion and discontent."

In response, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R-Occoquan) said Manassas Park might find itself "becoming a sanctuary for illegal immigrants." He added, "It would have been better, clearly, if they had voted to join the team and crack down on illegal immigration."

The Manassas Park council's action appeared to be a reply to criticism from Help Save Manassas and other local groups opposed to illegal immigration. The council's position statement accused such groups of having "a vigilante agenda."

"They are free to mischaracterize what we are doing and what I'm saying all day long and . . . label us racists and say that we are causing a problem to whatever end that they want," said Greg Letiecq, president of Help Save Manassas. "We are merely pointing out there are serious problems they are refusing to address, and this attitude of keeping their head in the sand is going to result in chaos for the residents."

The Hispanic population of Manassas Park increased 130 percent from 2000 to 2006, making the city majority-minority, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, council members said there is no proof that the influx stems from illegal immigration.

Some people lump legal and illegal immigrants together, said council member Fran Kassinger (I), and they are "saying basically, 'We need ethnic cleansing in the area.' And I think that is unjust." Kassinger urged residents to contact state and federal lawmakers to address the issue.