Immigration Fight Has a New Target

Stewart stunned Deane, the longtime county police chief, when he accused the chief of overstepping his authority in setting up a public meeting with the Mexican consul to discuss the immigration policy. Stewart said the Mexican government was not part of the Prince William community, but Deane said he was just trying to build trust among immigrants fearful about police conduct.

Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan (R-Dumfries) said Stewart "roughshoded" the immigration policy. "We're not doing it with sophistication and compassion. Our board is divided. He's our leader, but he doesn't reach for consensus. He speaks off the cuff. There's a brashness. I'm not sure how we curb that."

Stewart, who was elected to his first full term as chairman in November with 55 percent of the vote, is not fazed by the criticism. "They might not like my style, but it's been successful."

To his critics, Stewart's rhetoric on illegal immigration, although direct, comes off as intolerant in a diverse region that has assimilated thousands of newcomers in the past 20 years.

"If you violate the law and we catch you, we are going to do everything we can to have you deported," Stewart once said of immigrants.

He also called a group of county religious leaders "illegitimate" and "misguided" when they offered to serve as intermediaries between elected officials and the immigrant community. "They need to do what they do best: serve their congregants and attend to their denominations and not get involved in partisan politics," Stewart said.

He hasn't minced words about his colleagues, either, calling them "weak-kneed" just before the vote on the policy in October. And he said he is not afraid to "beat up on" elected officials in Prince William or other counties, as he did by calling the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors lax on immigration.

"I'm not afraid to twist an arm or apply pressure," said Stewart, 39, who moved to Prince William from Fairfax in 2001. "I prefer to work things out, but sometimes you have to play hardball."

The board was recently locked in a battle with Stewart over what usually is a routine matter: advertising a real estate tax rate for the coming year. It is usually the starting point for discussion about the county budget.

Stewart wanted to have the debate before hearing from the public. He wouldn't budge, and the board members were so frustrated with Stewart that they called a special meeting to resolve the month-long stalemate by approving a higher rate than Stewart advocated.

Nearly all local governments are weighing property tax increases this year to cover budget shortfalls caused by a steep drop in revenue, related to the housing market's slump. Supervisor John D. Jenkins (D-Neabsco) said that some increase in the tax rate will probably be necessary and that Stewart is missing the impact of his recalcitrance.

"Our reputation among businesses and people wanting to relocate into the county has suffered greatly," Jenkins said. Stewart "is unable to give and take. It's his way or no way."