Hispanics Protest, but Impact Questioned

Most Businesses Say the One-Day Work Boycott Didn't Affect Operations

A work boycott called to protest Prince William County's proposed crackdown on illegal immigrants appeared to have limited impact yesterday as construction sites, restaurants and retail stores hummed with business as usual.

The one-day stoppage, organized by the immigrant advocacy group Mexicans Without Borders, did cause a smattering of businesses to operate with smaller staffs or close.

La Azteca Latina, a small grocery in Woodbridge, closed after two hours while its owner and employees attended a rally. Ten employees of a waterproofing company in Woodbridge walked off their jobs in the morning, even though their employer threatened that they wouldn't be able to work for the rest of the week.

"We're doing it for our own good. And if the boss doesn't like it, well, we will look for other work," said Ruben Garcia, 28, of Woodbridge.

The stoppage was intended to demonstrate the economic impact of immigrants on the local economy and how businesses would suffer without Hispanic workers.

Protesters gathered in the afternoon at the county's government complex as the Prince William Board of County Supervisors held a regular meeting. A caravan of about 500 cars drove from the government complex throughout the county, said Ricardo Juarez, a coordinator at Mexicans Without Borders. The cars had slogans such as "Tell the Supervisors -- NO!" written in shoe polish across windshields, Juarez said.

Business owners and county leaders said the effects of the boycotts were minimal.

"I don't see anything different today than usual," said Corey Stewart, chairman of the supervisors. "And if someone is here illegally, they shouldn't be working here in the first place."

The boycott protested a resolution, passed unanimously by the supervisors in July, that denies many public services to illegal immigrants and empowers police and other officials to question immigrants about their legal status and, in some cases, turn them over to federal immigration authorities.

In contrast, Alexandria's City Council voted late yesterday on a measure that gives illegal immigrants access to public services and legal protection.

Carlos Castro, a business owner who has helped lead a separate effort to oppose the Prince William resolution, said the stoppage wasn't promoted well and probably wouldn't leave a strong impression on county leaders.

"I respect that form of free speech, but I personally would like to continue to do what we business leaders have been doing -- trying to keep up the dialogue and trying to make sure that we are getting people to understand that . . . we want to come to a more peaceful and more honorable solution to the problem," he said.