The resolution the Loudoun County Board passed Tuesday on illegal immigration directed county officials to study what authority the government has to penalize and restrict businesses from hiring illegal workers.

“There are things I think we can do to put the squeeze on employers,” Supervisor Jim Burton said.

Examining employers represents a new way Northern Virginia jurisdictions are trying to discourage illegal immigration. Prince William County supervisors also have said they want to look at the issue soon.

The measure drew strong opposition Wednesday from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, which said businesses should not face stiffer penalties until a more reliable method for verifying workers’ legal status is developed.

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“Without a credible system … it is unfair to expect the employer to legally determine that person's legal status,” said Tony Howard, the group's executive director. “It's analogous to an officer citing you for speeding where there are no posted speed limits.”

Howard said the group of 1,300 businesses had no idea its local county government would be considering the proposal when its legislative arm passed a resolution last week. The business proposal was added during debate over a resolution designed to deny county services to illegal immigrants Tuesday.

Supervisors, including Vice Chairman Bruce Tulloch, said businesses that do not do enough to review legal status of their employees need to be held in check. Tulloch said that was a necessary element of restricting illegal immigration. How the county will enforce its resolution remains uncertain. The Loudoun County executive is set to study the issue and report back to the board Sept. 4.

dgenz@dcexaminer.com