Prince William County (Map, News) - Prince William County supervisors are considering easing the county's crackdown against illegal immigrants by focusing more on major crimes and less on minor traffic violations.

Chairman Corey Stewart said removing checks for the most minor offenses and checking more people for arrest-level violations are "minor tweaks" to improve the policy.

The policy in effect since March 3 requires police officers to check the U.S. residency status of a misdemeanor offender or traffic violator when the police offer has "probable cause" to think the suspect is an illegal immigrant.

"We're going to have to change it as we go," Stewart said. "We've got to make sure the policy is implemented in a way that is sustainable in the long term, that is going to be impervious to a successful legal challenge and that gets the job done."

Supervisors slashed $4.2 million from the crackdown's $6.9 million budget Tuesday, including $3.16 million to put cameras in patrol cars to help guard police officers against expected lawsuits.

They also eliminated $900,000 for extra police officers to replace those conducting immigration interviews and $233,000 for child protective services for the children of deported illegal immigrants.

"We just stripped over $4 million from illegal immigration enforcement and that could lead to some changes," said Supervisor Frank Principi, D-Woodbridge, suggesting that drivers accused only of minor traffic violations may no longer face immigration questions.

County Attorney Ross Horton is slated to provide recommendations next week that supervisors contend will better prepare the county for expected lawsuits at a time when the county can't afford to buy the cameras.

The current policy requires officers to decide if there is probable cause to check someone's immigration status. The changes would suggest a new standard for checking someone's legal status.

Police Chief Charlie Deane said Tuesday night he remains uncomfortable leading the current policy without placing cameras in the cars to protect officers from charges of improper conduct.

The immigration cuts, combined with other cuts to the fire department, adult day care program, library and hospitals will help supervisors trim the proposed 21-cent tax rate increase by 3 cents, resulting in a 5 percent tax increase for the average homeowner.

dgenz@dcexaminer.com