Counties Sift Through Policies on Illegal Immigrants

Boards of Supervisors to Study How to Enforce Proposed Rules on Curtailing Public Services

Elected officials in Loudoun and Prince William counties yesterday began the complex, legally risky task of deciding how to make good on promises they made this summer to crack down on illegal immigrants.

Both counties' supervisors approved resolutions in July designed to cut back on government services to illegal immigrants.

But Loudoun County staff members have said that there are few services that officials have the authority to cut. They also said that taking the unprecedented step of enforcing federal immigration laws at the local level could cost the county money and put it at risk of lawsuits from groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union.

Yesterday, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors voted to study the issue in advance of a discussion planned for Sept. 19.

"I keep hearing, 'Legally, you can't do this, you can't do that, someone wants to sue, the ACLU is waiting,' " Supervisor Stephen J. Snow (R-Dulles) said. "It's like everyone wants to handcuff you."

Loudoun and Prince William are among U.S. towns and counties seeking to push illegal immigrants out since Congress failed to enact immigration reform this year.

An estimated 12 million illegal immigrants live in the United States. Advocates of harsh policies against them say they are a drain on communities. Supporters of a more lenient approach say that most pay taxes and contribute to the economy.

Reform efforts have proved tricky, as freshly minted policies are being struck down in courts. In July, a federal judge barred Hazleton, Pa., from enforcing anti-illegal immigrant laws, including one that would have fined landlords $1,000 a day for renting to tenants who didn't have papers.

The Bush administration launched a campaign this summer to punish businesses that hire illegal immigrants. But Friday, a federal judge struck down a key part of that effort after civil liberties groups said it could hurt legal immigrants.

Yesterday, Loudoun Supervisor James Burton (I-Blue Ridge) read a statement in defense of illegal immigrants, calling them an "integral and vital part of our economy."

The comment drew a rebuke from Supervisor Jim Clem (R-Leesburg). "It really upsets me to hear what you read, and I truly hope you didn't write it," Clem said. "That is a pure violation of the laws we all live by."

Loudoun officials will have to consider whether the new policies are based on finances or principle. A recent study in Chesterfield County near Richmond found that illegal immigrants cost that county about $2 million a year, a small part of the budget. The figure did not include the school system.

Also yesterday, more than a dozen people spoke at the Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting. Most favored harsher rules.

"Illegal aliens who have broken the law are subject to deportation. They are criminals," said Patty Mattes, a resident of Manassas in the county.

Prince William officials are scheduled to hear a report from Police Chief Charlie T. Deane Sept. 18 on the law enforcement aspect of the county's plan.

They are to hear from County Executive Craig Gerhart on the overall issue Oct. 2.