Pr. William Crackdown To Cost More Than Planned

Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart said he expects on-the-street enforcement of Prince William's illegal immigration program to go well. (By Tracy A. Woodward -- The Washington Post)
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Proponents point to the nearly 400 people who have been detained at the Prince William jail since July, when supervisors passed a resolution directing officers to check the immigration status of anyone in custody who they have probable cause to think is in the United States illegally.

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained an additional 60 people suspected of being in the country illegally. Although the county keeps track of how many people it detains and refers to federal authorities, ICE does not report back to the county how many of those people were deported.

Based on jail numbers, though, Stewart (R-At Large) said he expects the on-the-street enforcement to go well.

"It's already had an impact. There is anecdotal evidence many have left the community in anticipation of the program. We'll know better after a year," Stewart said.

The object of the policy is not to make anyone uncomfortable living in Prince William, Stewart said, but to remove people who are in the country illegally.

"If you are here illegally, you need to keep your nose clean," he said. "If you violate the law and we catch you, we are going to do everything we can to have you deported."

Although supervisors unanimously supported cracking down on illegal immigrants, they worry about adding costs to a budget already in shortfall. The board is considering raising the real estate tax rate 28 percent, although the average tax bill would grow only 8 percent because of falling home values.

Supervisor John T. Stirrup Jr. (R-Gainesville) recently attempted to remove a requirement that the police department be fully staffed for the county to move forward with the immigration plan. But other supervisors insisted that the requirement remain.

Boosting police staffing, by 125 officers and 20 civilians, will cost $48.1 million over five years.

Nancy Lyall, a coordinator for Mexicans Without Borders, said she believes that once taxpayers understand the costs of implementing the program, support for it will dwindle. "The county is in a dire position. It can't afford to pay for this. As soon as residents realize that, there's going to be a backlash."

Nohe, who backed the policy, said some residents who initially supported the plan could have some misgivings when they learn of the "impact on their pocketbooks." But he said he is inclined to fully fund the initiative as a show of support to the police officers carrying out the board's directive.

"This is new territory we are charting," he said. "If the board is truly committed, we have to fund it in a manner commensurate with that commitment. We can't fund it halfway and expect to get 100 percent of the results."