Loudoun Activists Find New Campaign

The renewed focus on Sterling has won praise from some of the staunchest illegal-immigrant opponents.

"I think it's a different approach to the same problem," said Joe Budzinski, a spokesman for Help Save Loudoun, a group that has blamed much of the problems in Sterling on illegal immigrants. "It's a perfectly valid approach, because if it weren't for the fact of people not caring for their homes, no one is going to care if they are illegal or not."

Stricter zoning enforcement might even have the unintended consequence of driving out illegal immigrants who cannot comply, Budzinski added.

Not everyone thinks such new rules are necessary. Walter Mundt, 62, a Sterling Park resident, said he understands the concerns but believes that "the county should stay out of it." Sulma Molina, 25, said the neighborhood could use some sprucing up but that it was a pleasant neighborhood that didn't need drastic changes.

"I like that it is so quiet," she said. "A child can play outside and not worry about anything."

Molina, an immigrant from El Salvador here on a work permit, moved into her home two weeks ago with her husband, her two children, a brother and a cousin. On a recent morning, two vehicles sat on the property, one in the driveway and another to the side on the grass. The lawn parking is necessary, she said, so she can go to her housekeeping job in the morning without moving her husband's truck.

Children's toys, boxes and recycling items sat on the front yard. "We like to be clean, but it is just not possible right now" because the family moved in two weeks ago, she said. She added that she expected the recycling to be picked up in a few days.