The downside of the anti-immigration ordinance passed by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors is starting to become apparent as the Examiner reports on the massive database that the county will be compiling:
Prince William County residents, legal and illegal, should prepare to be counted.
A controversial resolution passed unanimously by the Prince William board Tuesday clears the way for the development of a database showing who is a legal resident and entitled to use county programs and who is unable to prove legal status.
The goal is to have one comprehensive file so that once someone is qualified to use the county library, their information will be available if they visit a recreation center or discard rubbish at the landfill.
“It’s going to be an invaluable tool because finally we’ll be able to get some idea of what the illegal immigration population is and what it’s costing us,” said Supervisor John Stirrup, the resolution’s author
And if you’re slightly concerned about the idea that the government will be compiling and centralizing yet more data about you, well, you just don’t know what you’re talking about:
Stirrup said people are used to producing IDs when they write a check and would do the same for county services.
“They don’t mind showing identification or being included in a database if it will stem the growth of illegal immigration,” Stirrup said.
In other words, show us your papers.
