To Illegal Immigrants, Md. Feeling Less Friendly

Opponents also appear to have stalled legislation to give in-state college tuition rates to the children of illegal immigrants. The measure won approval in both chambers in 2003 before being vetoed by then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R). Last year, the House again passed it, but it stalled in the Senate. This year, it is not expected to emerge from a House committee.

"We have more people than we ever expected getting involved. They are mad, but until now, they didn't know what to do about it," said Brad Botwin, a Rockville resident who chairs the activist group Help Save Maryland. "For the first time, the delegates and senators are hearing the majority view on the impact of illegal immigrants on our state."

The atmosphere in some hearings has been tense and heated. In the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D-Prince George's), one activist distributed fake "wanted" posters of Vallario wearing a sombrero.

A construction worker who attended another hearing was arrested afterward for allegedly threatening by e-mail to strangle Gov. Martin O'Malley (D). The man's wife said he was upset after losing work to illegal immigrants.

Susan Payne, an activist from Montgomery County, warned lawmakers that terrorists could threaten the state if obtaining a driver's license is not made more difficult. She also lashed out at CASA of Maryland, a nonprofit group that advocates immigrant rights, calling its staff "paid lobbyists" for a "special interest group."

Kim Propeack, a CASA lobbyist who helped bring dozens of Latinos to the Annapolis hearings, said her organization was trying to counter the "ugliness" of a small activist group by presenting real immigrants and their problems.

Among the scores of illegal laborers who congregate in parking lots and at CASA job centers in Wheaton and Langley Park each morning, the fact that no laws are likely to be passed against them soon does little to ease the growing frustration and fear.

County police officers cruise the parking lots frequently and often give the laborers warnings for loitering. They do not ask for proof of legal residency, and police officials said their policy is to check legal status only if someone has been arrested and charged with breaking another law. But the men know that this has begun happening in Prince William, and they worry it could start affecting them, too.

They are also concerned about the small but growing exodus of illegal immigrants from Virginia. Some are showing up at the same day-laborer sites, adding to the competition. In Langley Park Plaza one recent mid-morning, two dozen idle men said they had been waiting for work since 6:30. Several said they had considered returning to their homelands but were embarrassed to face their families.

"I walked for 40 days across the desert; I was hungry and thirsty; my feet were swollen. I miss my children, but how can I go back with nothing?" said Angel Cervantes, 33, a Mexican father of three. "I know I am here illegally, but I believe in following the law. I never drink or even get a parking ticket," he said. "If the day comes when they deport me, I want to go home with honor."

Nearby, a white unmarked van circled the parking lot, cruising for a quick household moving job. The driver, a Mexican without legal papers who gave his name as Gerardo, said he had just gotten a police ticket for parking illegally and was relieved that the officer had not asked him for proof of legal residence.

"Look around at this plaza. See how much life we Latinos have created here," Gerardo said. "There's my bank. There's my insurance agent. That's where I buy my groceries. I used to have a good moving business with my truck, but every day it is harder to find workers. They are all scared of being arrested now. I am illegal, too, but I don't hurt anyone. I am helping this community grow. We all are. Just look around!"