The Hispanic immigrant population in Prince William County is considering a major business boycott to protest a new county resolution aimed at making it easier to deport illegal immigrants and banning them from receiving some government services.

The four-week boycott on purchases from nonimmigrant merchants would be the centerpiece of a broader, coordinated response to the resolution that may also include a one-day work stoppage.

Details still have to be worked out and will be announced Tuesday, said Ricardo Juarez, a coordinator with Mexicanos Sin Fronteras. The boycott may be set for Aug. 27 through Sept. 23.

"I think there's going to be a mix of tactics from a bunch of different groups, like an economic boycott, straight political pressure and legal challenges," said Jon Liss, executive director of Tenants and Workers United.

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The push for a boycott came out of a massive meeting Mexicanos Sin Fronteras, an immigrant civic organization, held at a Manassas church Thursday night.

Between 1,200 to 2,000 people attended, according to estimates from the organizers and the county fire marshal.

Prince William County Board Chairman Corey Stewart said the boycotts and protests would raise public sentiment against illegal residents.

"The more that the illegal-alien community protest, the more that they demonstrate that they have no fears and no respect for the laws of our community and that's disturbing," Stewart said. "I hope they leave the county.

"If it were up to me, we would check immigration status of all the protesters, and if they're illegals, we would deport them," Stewart said, noting that is not legally or practically feasible.

Stewart's comments demonstrate the county's resolution was "mean-spirited," said Nancy Lyall, legal coordinator for Mexicanos Sin Fronteras.

"It causes me great concern when government officials talk about trampling on the constitutional rights of the residents of the county," Lyall said.

The board unanimously approved a resolution last month that directed the police to check the legal status of residents arrested for other violations as a first step to deportation, and asked the county staff to develop a framework for denying government services to illegal immigrants.

The county action will begin to take shape in September and early October, when the proposed boycott and work stoppage could raise pressure against the resolution.

Jose Orellana, a 24-year-old El Salvadoran who moved to Manassas Park four years ago with a permit to work, said he turned out Thursday night because of concerns about the county's resolution.

"It doesn't make sense. Everybody came into this country to work and everybody pays taxes," Orellana said.

dgenz@dcexaminer.com