More Fallout From Immigrant Policy

Top Supervisor Feuds With Police Chief Over Meeting With Consul, Residents

Tensions created by Prince William County's crackdown on illegal immigration were on awkward display this week, when a community meeting hosted by police and the Mexican consulate produced new frustrations among immigrants -- and among the county's top officials.

Police Chief Charlie T. Deane and Mexican consul Enrique Escorza said the meeting Thursday was held to clear up misinformation and quell fears about the scope of the county's policies on illegal immigration. But afterward, many attendees said they were even more troubled and confused.

Meanwhile, a separate battle played out behind the scenes over opposition to the meeting from Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R-At Large).

Stewart, the leading advocate of the county's new policies, tried to block the gathering while criticizing Deane for meeting with "foreign governmental officials." He called Escorza's presence "a violation of U.S. sovereignty," saying he had first learned of the event in a local newspaper Thursday morning.

"I just hope the chief has made sure he's following diplomatic protocols and is in compliance with federal law," Stewart said. "Clearly, this is not public outreach. The Mexican government isn't part of the Prince William County community."

The dispute sharpened when Stewart e-mailed Deane a list of questions Thursday that he wanted answered by 7 p.m., including whether the State Department had been notified and whether Deane had met with other foreign officials. Stewart also wanted a full accounting of Deane's communications with Escorza.

Deane did not provide a written response, Stewart said, but the men spoke by phone before the meeting, which Deane declined to cancel. Stewart did not attend the meeting.

Meetings with consular officials who represent members of the county's immigrant population are a routine part of his job, Deane said, and Thursday's was one of dozens of informational sessions he has organized to explain the county's immigration policy -- something supervisors, including Stewart, directed him to do when they approved the policy last year.

"This is simply part of our ongoing public education campaign," Deane said. "It's not like I'm renegotiating NAFTA."

Stewart's criticism and questioning of Deane also set off an e-mail exchange among county officials, who quickly took sides. Supervisor John D. Jenkins (D-Neabsco) defended Deane, saying, "The resolution directed him to get out and talk to people."

Jenkins said Stewart "exercised poor judgment" by asking Deane not to attend the meeting.

"The chairman cannot unilaterally issue a directive to staff. He is not the spokesman for the county," Jenkins said. "It's inappropriate. The chief does not work for any board member; he works for the county executive."