The Prince William County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a slightly softened version of the immigration proposal submitted by John Stirrup last week:
Prince William County supervisors voted unanimously last night to approve a resolution that targets illegal immigrants by attempting to curb their access to public services and increasing immigration enforcement by local police.
But the resolution approved last night significantly weakens a previous proposal, removing or altering several of its toughest measures but asking county employees to look for ways to lawfully deny services to illegal immigrants.
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The previous resolution would have required officers to check the residency status of anyone who breaks a law, no matter how minor. The measure approved yesterday directs officers to check the status of anyone in police custody who they suspect is an illegal immigrant.
The changes were made after county attorneys, police and supervisors expressed concerns about the legality of some of the measures. The new resolution would not deny access to schools and other legally mandated services. Another measure that would have allowed residents to sue the county for providing services to illegal immigrants was also stripped out.
But the measures still place Prince William at the forefront of Virginia jurisdictions that are trying to check illegal immigration.
“This resolution does have teeth and changes county policy immediately,” said board Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R-Occoquan).
Well, I’m not entirely sure of that, but it probably saves the County from the embarrassment of a lawsuit it probably would have lost.
In the end, though, I can’t help but think that this is not all that much different from the Board’s anti-growth zoning resolution; another political stunt that really doesn’t mean anything.
