Board to get update on immigration
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By Cheryl Chumley
Published: March 30, 2008
Tuesday's Prince William supervisors' meeting will include a presentation of the latest facts and figures on the county's immigration policy, as compiled by police Chief Charlie T. Deane.
This is the first detailed and formal presentation to the board since the policy allowing police to check immigration status of arrested suspects went into effect, March 3. According to the meeting agenda, Deane will provide several highlights—that 525 officers and 31 civilians have been trained on the new policy in the weeks between Jan.1 and Feb. 29, for instance—as well as lay out the next two-plus years of implementation.
It's in this time frame that police and other pertinent officials will begin to track crime trends, among other statistics, and look for significant changes that stem from the dates of immigration policy implementation.
The chief is also expected to continue at least one train of discussion picked up Thursday evening, during a meeting with the Mexican general consul in which that official, Enrique Escorza, was quoted as voicing concerns with "wrong perceptions" that bring "social tensions." The agenda for Tuesday's board meeting lists Deane as discussing "community misconceptions regarding police authority."
The department has already taken numerous steps to deflect or offset such misconceptions with the policy change. In a press release from Thursday, police list the more than 50 religious groups, media groups, educational organizations, government bodies and other interested parties they have met with in the past weeks.
"Last July … we realized one of the greatest challenges was going to be in the area of public education," Deane said in the release. "Since this is a new area of responsibility, one of our greatest challenges has been responding to the differing expectations of those in the community, and clarifying what police officers will be doing, and also what they will not be doing."
In other matters Tuesday, supervisors will consider budget cuts to the circuit court; the adoption of a $2.27 million Community Development Block Grant plan; and a proposal to adopt the Virginia Bluebell as Prince William's official flower.
Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907 or .
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( jhcivicex ) on April 01, 2008 at 4:08 pm
JTIME is right. We are all equal as humans no matter where your from, but we all have to follow the law and if you do not you should have to pay the consequences. Bottom line! Any clan who preaches different should find there own country. La Raza, no wonder why Mexico doesnt want them there. I wonder if Canada has this problem?
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Posted by ( jtime ) on April 01, 2008 at 2:07 pm
There must be alot racist “La Raza” supporters her. Facts are facts. It is illegal to be in this country without authorization from the federal govt. People need to grow up when it also comes to the notion that we are all immigrants so what is the problem. First the native americans where from Asia, who came from Africa, so unless you want everyone to join hands and return to Africa then you need to drop the who was here first notion. If you are someone who says we all came from Eden, then point to it on a map and we’ll all go together. The adult approach is the right of the U.S. to its soil. Any person not given permission to place foot on U.S. soil is breaking the law. Those who speak other wise are traitors to the U.S. That is as black and white as it gets. Step foot in another country and be found there illegaly and see how you are treated. Also BY LAW, all nations have to accept the return of all citizens who are found in other countries. This is International law. There is no other way around it. Lastly, Chief Dean can meet with whom ever he wants to, but he also has to enforce each that he swore to uphold. You know, when 20 people gather for hours outside a business, its called loitering, therefore by law an officer has to stop and ask whats going on. Put 20 black men such as myself in a parking lot and we’ll be approached by law enforcement in the first 15 min. but here in PWC latinos get a free pass with more rights than the black man because racist groups like “La Raza” “The Race” just like the clan use to call itself make sure they have more rights.
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Posted by ( rebelreggie ) on March 31, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Those who argue on behalf of illegal aliens and their rights often play word games in appealing to the pride of real Americans.
Immigrants Built America and We are all Immigrants are popular slogans at pro-illegal alien protests and in jargon used by those who favor open borders, regardless of the impact on Americas homeland security, economy, or culture.
What the anti rule-of-law crowd omits is the crucial word “legal,” as in “legal immigrants.”
While its true that we are all descendants of immigrants, it is not true that our forefathers came to America illegally.
America was NOT built by illegal aliens!
Migrating to America legally is, and should be, a long, drawn-out procedure meant to protect the interests of American citizens.
It involves more than simply jumping a fence and heading north in pursuit of free health care, education, food stamps, and other handouts paid for by U.S. taxpayers.
Legal immigration means enduring rigorous hurdles like:
Background checks to detect a criminal background or possible ties to terrorists;
Medical examinations to detect diseases still prevalent in third-world nations, but long since eradicated here;
Proof of financial solvency so as to prevent newcomers from becoming a burden on U.S. taxpayers, and
Testing for knowledge of American history and English skills.
Those who have jumped the fence into America in order to avoid our immigration checks are not immigrants.
Rather, they are illegal aliens, with no claim whatsoever to the welcome mat extended to legal immigrants.
Such people do not deserve recognition or sanction by the United States, and should be rounded up and deported as soon as possible, without exception.
Another word game played by pro-illegal aliens is to call these criminals undocumented.
The implication of this term is that the invaders are simply missing a piece of paper or two, probably some unnecessary bureaucratic red tape designed to keep brown people out.
In truth, illegal aliens have invaded our nation, leaving America vulnerable to undetected crime, terrorism, disease, and financial devastation at the hands of people with no legal or moral justification for being here.
Do not be fooled by word games and euphemistic cover-ups.
People here illegally are illegal aliens. Period!
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on March 31, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Rebelreggie, not sure what you are getting at by your post, but if you feel you personally are being “invaded” perhaps you should consider seeking professional help in addition to keeping your doors locked.
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Posted by ( rebelreggie ) on March 31, 2008 at 12:17 pm
U.S. Constitution, Article IV.
Section. 4.
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; .........
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on March 31, 2008 at 12:02 pm
The Mexican Consul has a vested interest in protecting their people. Hence, they WOULD want to and have every right to attend a community meeting, one of many which have been the standard for implementing this “resolution.”
Furthermore, if anyone has overstepped his bounds, it has been Corey Stewart is assuming what is a Federal role in government: immigration enforcement. Because of the resolution, the Chief and the police department have been backed into a corner. They are mandated to carry out the orders of the BOCS but are now getting criticized for doing so! Stewart and his cronies are creating an international “incident” which needs to be stopped! What’s next? Will the BOCS declare war on Mexico, for goodness sakes?
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Posted by ( Calisto ) on March 31, 2008 at 10:39 am
Yep, right on, Vic! I want to know since when Chief Deane became the sounding board for the citizen of PWC? Furthermore, I would like to know how he understands his job as a law enforcement officer? Last time I’ve checked he supposed to arrest offenders. If not on illegal immigration - at least on traffic infractions like driving without a license.
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Posted by ( Vic ) on March 31, 2008 at 8:26 am
Rather than have Chief Deane discuss the community’s “misconceptions” of his authority—perhaps it would be better if the Chief discussed his own “conceptions” of his authority.
For example, I am curious to know where he thinks he receive the authority to conduct international negotiations with the Mexician Consul over the application and enforcement of American laws.
I am also curious to know why he thinks that that he should only enforce certain laws—particularly those pertaining to illegal immigration, human trafficking, unfair labor practices, unlicensed driving, etc. —on a case-by-case basis.
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