Critics of illegal immigration across the region are forming a new organization today to take up the cause.

The Capital Area Coalition Against Illegal Immigration brings together the leaders of groups that have pushed for a crackdown in Prince William County, opposed a day-labor center in the District of Columbia and criticized government funding for immigrant aid in the Maryland suburbs.

The organization will combine varied local agendas into one regional force, the founders said Wednesday.

“Here's the thing, we're tired of the day labor centers, we're tired of … governments saying, 'We need to help these people.' No, we don't. We need to train our officers [to check for U.S. residency] and make it tough for illegal immigrants,” said Brad Botwin, president of Help Save Maryland and a founder of the new group.

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Immigrant advocates expressed concern the group will push for laws that will result in racial profiling and provoke more tension among already alarmed legal and illegal immigrants.

“Some of the groups have raised apprehension in the immigrant community,” said Andres Tobar, president of the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations. “I'm hopeful that they provide accurate information about the positive contributions of immigrants.”

dgenz@dcexaminer.com