Regis Philbin
Mar 13th, 2008, 04:42 PM
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/METRO/623703819/1001
Va. county: Tough laws repelling illegals
By Arlo Wagner
March 12, 2008
Months after Prince William County began one of the country's strongest crackdowns on illegal immigrants, some officials and residents say illegals and other residents appear to be leaving.
Dave Whitlow, town manager of Dumfries, said officials started noticing the change a few months ago when they canvassed communities popular among Hispanic families and found roughly 165 residences vacant among 1,600 houses and townhouses.
"We are having many more leaving," Mr. Whitlow said. "It's been just the last few months."
In July, the Board of County Supervisors unanimously agreed to have the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency train six police officers and one resident for an Alien Crime Unit.
The detail began enforcement March 1 and is assisting officers, who have a suspect in a crime — including traffic offenses — and find probable cause that he or she is in the country illegally. Before then, officers were not authorized to make arrests for illegal immigration.
Board Chairman Corey A. Stewart said this week he was not surprised about signs that illegal immigrants were leaving.
Va. county: Tough laws repelling illegals
By Arlo Wagner
March 12, 2008
Months after Prince William County began one of the country's strongest crackdowns on illegal immigrants, some officials and residents say illegals and other residents appear to be leaving.
Dave Whitlow, town manager of Dumfries, said officials started noticing the change a few months ago when they canvassed communities popular among Hispanic families and found roughly 165 residences vacant among 1,600 houses and townhouses.
"We are having many more leaving," Mr. Whitlow said. "It's been just the last few months."
In July, the Board of County Supervisors unanimously agreed to have the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency train six police officers and one resident for an Alien Crime Unit.
The detail began enforcement March 1 and is assisting officers, who have a suspect in a crime — including traffic offenses — and find probable cause that he or she is in the country illegally. Before then, officers were not authorized to make arrests for illegal immigration.
Board Chairman Corey A. Stewart said this week he was not surprised about signs that illegal immigrants were leaving.