New illegal immigration enforcement policy in effect today
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Staff reports
Published: March 3, 2008
The Prince William County Police Department activated its new policy regarding illegal immigration enforcement today.
As part of the new policy, police officers will inquire into the citizenship or immigration status of persons who are lawfully detained for a violation of state or local law if probable cause exists to believe that person is in violation of federal immigration law.
If such a violation exists, police officers will coordinate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement branch concerning that individual.
There are three key points to the policy, according to a news release from the department.
1. Officers will focus on criminal aliens – persons who are in the United States illegally and who commit crimes that would make them eligible for deportation.
2. Police officers will protect crime victims and cooperative witnesses – regardless of their immigration status.
3. Racial profiling is expressly prohibited. Police officers will not detain or arrest individuals based on their national origin, race, religion or creed. In addition to being morally wrong, racial profiling is a violation of federal law as well as existing Police Department policy.
Immigration Enforcement
All sworn members of the Police Department, as well as relevant civilian personnel, received comprehensive training regarding the new policy, and how to implement it in a fair, lawful, and reasonable manner. Topics covered during training included legal instruction, bias reduction/racial profiling, identification of false documentation, and procedural response to illegal aliens. Representatives from the County Attorney’s office, ICE, and the Police Department’s staff served as instructors.
More information regarding the Police Department’s immigration enforcement efforts can be found on the web site at https://www.pwcgov.org/police.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( deweyzrun ) on March 06, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Allison,
Eah! That will be the day when local Governments sue the Federal Govt. Do you have a clue as to who is providing the courses that the Prince William county police have to take befor they stop illegals after the illegals commit a crime?? It’s ICE and that is a Federal Government entity. And YES there will be racial profiling it happens everyday at OUR Lcal airports what will stop it here in PWC. I was at the county Court house on Tuesday and let me tell you the courts are already filled with BIGGER issue then Illegal immigration. Have the illiegals join OUR Military as a path of becoming citizens..
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Posted by ( Dime ) on March 04, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Congrats to PWC !!!!
I saw on Fox 5 last night a Women from on of the immigrant groups telling the Illegals how not to get stopped by the police. She stated “ Please do not drive without a drivers lic, don’t trespass, and don’t spit on the sidewalks.” What stuck me as odd is that an adult would have to be told not to do those things. Are you kidding me? It is very funny and sad that these are the people she wants to protect.
Another arguement is that families will be separated. Yes but, the illegals have no one to blame but themselves. It was those illegals that decided to put their famlies at risk by being here illegal. Sorry but its your fault.
The very first thing that illegals did when entering the US was break US laws. Are these the immigrants we should welcome in. NO I think not.
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Posted by ( finzelfan ) on March 03, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Why is everyone focused on the costs of this program? Let’s look at all the SAVINGS we will have when we stop giving everthing that Legal Citizens have earned and paid for to the ‘illegal immigrants’!!
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Posted by ( Allison ) on March 03, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I am so happy the police finally have the authority to do their job. I am also willing to pay more in taxes for this measure; however, I hope that the City of Manassas and PWC act together to sue the federal government for reimbursement since they’re the ones who are ultimately at fault for allowing this invasion to occur in the first place.
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Posted by ( zcxnissan ) on March 03, 2008 at 7:38 pm
A few million more is hardly a drop in the bucket when you consider that about half of the states illegal immigrants dont’ pay state or federal taxes and send the larger portion of their wages to another country. Good job Prince William County. Racial profiling is the best excuse i have heard in years. Studies suggest that all cops regardless of race profile. So this is a non starter of an excuse. Chris Cummings
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Posted by ( Indigo1 ) on March 03, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Something needs to be done here and now about illegal immigrants. Don’t complain about your taxes rising. Who do you think bears the cost of undocumented and uninsured workers health care now? How about the cost of their time incarcerated? The public defenders they use? The uninsured cars they get into accidents with? The lowering of your home’s value when 15 people live in a a 3 bedroom home next to yours? The astounding consumption of people who don’t know to recycle or respect the environment? Think about the big picture and quit whining about taxes!!!
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Posted by ( vnl48 ) on March 03, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I think its about time now lets try and do even more
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Posted by ( Jim ) on March 03, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I am glad that this policy is moving ahead. Even it it cost me more in taxes, it is money well spent.
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Posted by ( tulio ) on March 03, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I feel so much better now that I know there are so many Prince William County Residents that want to pay more taxes. At what price is this enforcement going to come in? 5 million or is it 6 and half million. Do the math in times of a weakening economy why would you want to subsidize the Federal Government enforcing this law and take away from education, health care and other important programs the county has. The Supervisors have already wiped out the Contingency funds now they are going to raise our taxes to get caught racially profiling. Great Job I take my hat off to those wonderful supervisors we have.
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Posted by ( seb21 ) on March 03, 2008 at 12:50 pm
It is about time! Thank goodness something is finally being done about this.
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