CHANGE MY LOCATION
County has 4,500 illegal immigrants in jail, most of any in M.Va., report says
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: Fairfax County
Fairfax County (Map, News) - Fairfax County has about 4,500 illegal immigrants in its jail, the most of any Northern Virginia locality, according to state crime commission findings released Tuesday.
Illegal aliens account for about 16 percent of Fairfax’s inmates. The crime commission, which advises the General Assembly on legal issues, estimated 8 to 10 percent of all jail inmates statewide are illegal aliens.
“I had no idea it was that high,” said Del. David Albo, R-Springfield, of Fairfax’s incarcerated illegal immigrant population. “It costs the county taxpayers a lot of money — about $10,000 per inmate each year — to keep people locked up that shouldn’t even be in this country.”
Albo, co-chairman of the commission, is preparing legislation for January’s General Assembly session that would require localities to begin deportation proceedings against incarcerated illegal immigrants after the prisoners have served their sentences. Albo added that even if the state enacts that law, Virginia would need cooperation from federal officials to get the offenders out of the country.
Prince William County, where local officials have made national headlines for their efforts to crack down on illegal immigrants, has a slightly higher percentage of illegal aliens incarcerated (17 percent, or 2,409 people) than Fairfax does. Loudoun’s inmate population of 636 illegals (4.6 percent of all inmates) is much smaller than its neighbors.
According to commission research, most illegal immigrants are incarcerated after being convicted of drunken driving and other alcohol-related offenses or for charges of possessing forged government documents.
jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
1:30 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 4, 2007 re: "Sully supervisor: Illegal immigration report stalled"
Report as inappropriate
2:05 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007
re: "Fairfax plan to count illegals called nigh impossible"
Report as inappropriate
1:54 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007
re: "Fairfax plan to count illegals called nigh impossible"
Report as inappropriate
1:51 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007
re: "Fairfax to count illegal immigrants and identify county services they use"
Report as inappropriate
8:26 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 19, 2007
re: "Fairfax plan to count illegals called nigh impossible"
Report as inappropriate
4:28 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 19, 2007
re: "Fairfax plan to count illegals called nigh impossible"
Report as inappropriate
9:22 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 19, 2007
re: "Fairfax plan to count illegals called nigh impossible"
Report as inappropriate
8:11 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 19, 2007
re: "Fairfax plan to count illegals called nigh impossible"
Report as inappropriate
8:01 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 19, 2007
re: "Fairfax plan to count illegals called nigh impossible"
Report as inappropriate
1:52 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 17, 2007
re: "Fairfax to count illegal immigrants and identify county services they use"
Report as inappropriate
8:02 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 17, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
7:08 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 17, 2007
re: "Fairfax to count illegal immigrants and identify county services they use"
Report as inappropriate
8:51 AM MST on Thu., Sep. 27, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
8:13 PM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "County has 4,500 illegal immigrants in jail, most of any in M.Va., report says"
Report as inappropriate
7:06 PM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
4:17 PM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "County has 4,500 illegal immigrants in jail, most of any in M.Va., report says"
Report as inappropriate
12:29 PM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "County has 4,500 illegal immigrants in jail, most of any in M.Va., report says"
Report as inappropriate
11:34 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
10:30 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "County has 4,500 illegal immigrants in jail, most of any in M.Va., report says"
Report as inappropriate
10:11 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
9:04 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
7:20 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "County has 4,500 illegal immigrants in jail, most of any in M.Va., report says"
Report as inappropriate
6:20 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "County has 4,500 illegal immigrants in jail, most of any in M.Va., report says"
Report as inappropriate
5:27 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
re: "County has 4,500 illegal immigrants in jail, most of any in M.Va., report says"
Report as inappropriate
8:37 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 5, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
4:53 PM MST on Thu., Aug. 30, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
12:04 PM MST on Thu., Aug. 30, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
11:11 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 30, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
9:57 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 30, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
7:42 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 30, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
6:42 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 30, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
5:49 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 30, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
5:03 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 30, 2007
re: "Connolly rival wades into immigration fight"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
We are totally over run with illegal immigrants. I live in Falls Church and I am astonished at the incredible increase of illegals. Don't believe me. Look at Arlington's Most Wanted Criminals. ALL except one is a Hispanic and they are all likely illegal. Two years ago, Fairfax had to install trash bags at the bus stops after 25 years of not needing any. Why? Illegals who take the bus throw trash everywhere. At 7-corners, We are spending $25 million to build special walkways so illegals can cross the street safely. Look at Fairfax Crime Reports. 1 out of 5 is a Hispanic raping or sexually assaulting 12-50 year old girls, boys, and women. There is rampant over crowding. We're doubling the population, but no extra taxes are coming in. Ride your bike down the 4-mile run path by Columbia Pike. There's 100's of illegals drunk and stoned laying around. The illegals come here....because it it a SWEET deal for them (and the employers who hire them) but not for us.
87 agree | 98 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Why it has to be mexicans ? To be fair to all people , the US should open border to everybody including CHina. China population is 10 billions people. If 1 billions of chinese are allowed to get in US, the US can speak CHinese over night as official language . Therefore we have to send all illegals home .
167 agree | 146 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
If Fairfax wants to reduce their tax money to be spent on services for illegals, Fairfax residents need to vote Conolly OUT OF OFFICE RIGHT NOW, not tomorrow ...
156 agree | 132 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Mexico has a lot of oil , nice weather like California. Can US citizens go there and claim Mexico as a part of US ? each country has its own border and its own law. US is very lenient in the southern border. For all other countries, if you cross and trepass the border illegally , you will be shot dead immediately.
147 agree | 143 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I am so sick of this. Enforce the laws and protect the citizens of this country. Enough of this never-ending pandering to self-righteous identity politics and forgetting, absolutely, about the common good. For those of us already here, legal American citizens, what of our "American dream?" Seems like it's a notion reserved for outsiders. Come on guys, don't sell us out anymore. Public servants, ha!
152 agree | 166 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Has the Preamble of our Constitution changed from "we the people" to "we the legal people"? The U.S. Constitution is just that....the U.S. Constitution....it applies to United States citizens. It does not apply to citizens of other countries. Obey our laws. You sneak into our country, break our laws and you'll be caught and deported.
147 agree | 137 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Roger said:
To "mr. Melting Pot" below. I came here for opportunity also, a background check as well as a medical one was done before I was granted a visa. No one knows who these people are or what diseases they bring with them. I say get in line like everyone else - that's what being LEGAL means.
175 agree | 145 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Bottom line they don't want to do anything in Fairfax about it. There are ways that you can tell what services are being afforded. I will cast my vote for those that are for addressing those routes and issue.
146 agree | 153 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I am a naturalized American citizen. I came here when America was truly the "Land of Opportunity," where anyone wanting to start a new life for whatever reason is given the opportunity to do so. What happened to the concept of the "melting pot" or more currently coined as "salad"? Each person retains their individual identity and worth, but collectively he/she enhances the entire community and country. Has the Preamble of our Constitution changed from "we the people" to "we the legal people"?
152 agree | 148 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Time to go... said:
Anybody know when the election is?
198 agree | 181 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I agreed with the comment Mr. Connolly should know that his time is near, we the VOTERS will remuve him from office and put him in charge of the Illegal Aliens.
153 agree | 139 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
"The Oct. 1 document undermines the county’s argument that it cares only about illegal behavior and not legal status" Isn't breaking into our country illegal behavior?....Having multiple identities, stealing or fabrication SS#'s....Buying or making phony driver's licenses....driving witout license, registration, insurance....aren't these all illegal behavior? Illegals break the laws everyday they're here.
177 agree | 171 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
It is up to the Fairfax residents to decide -do they want to embrace the illegals and watch their property values fall, schools get neglected, or do they want to stand up and be citizens...with a voice and with the power to vote Connolly out...If the illegals were this organized in their own country they could move back there and not be a problem here. Instead they learn our laws, how to circumvent them and take advantage. Enough is enough. Out with the politicians that don't support the people who were kind enough to put them in office in the first place.
136 agree | 132 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Eduardo Perez-Monteros said:
The issue of "illegal aliens" (undocumented, whatever) will indeed be the achilles heel for many liberal democrat, laissez-faire ("it's the FEDERAL Government's problem!"-type local officeholder one sees in places like Fairfax County. Even *they* will be voted out of office when/if it gets bad enough--somethng they could never imagine given the vote demographics of Fairfax. The thing is, they just foolishly and blindly fiddle while Rome burns, and just sanctimoniously parrot from their lofty tower at Taj Mahal how wonderful "Diversity" is to the unwashed masses who live with such urban blight and crime on a daily basis and who know much better. Illegal Aliens and the Crime they bring has NOTHING to do with Diversity, and LEGAL immigrants who behave themselves and contribute to the community... These do-nothing, no-nothing coddlers of Illegal Immigrants should be tossed out of office AND Fairfax County, with an Illegal Immigrant under each arm.
183 agree | 122 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Connolly is too beholden to pro-illegal alien special interest groups (as with most area democrats) to address this issue effectively. He only recently discovered the issue of overcrowding of homes. Funny how his token response to that issue just started during election season. He will quickly forget that issue after the election too. Connolly must go!
163 agree | 141 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Ensure your elected officials are representing your rights as a LEGAL american citizen and vote the dead weight out of office this Nov. That means Gerry "big developers control me and big developers need illegal alien labor' connelly - getting rid of Connelly will be a huge step in the right direction as FX Ctny is the last piece in the county puzzle in this area, and if we get new leadership if FX then the whole region will be strong against ILLEGAL ALIEN CRIMINALS and they will stop flocking here and trashing this area.
167 agree | 119 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
NOVA Gal said:
Gerry Connolly says that there are no good reasons for Fairfax County police to work with ICE to rid the county of illegal alien criminals. Typical. Gerry must be defeated in November.
177 agree | 135 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Mr. Walkinshaw will have to build a DAY LABOR in November for him and the ILLEGAL ALIENS.
147 agree | 126 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I am sure the Fairfax tax payers are happy with those numbers! I wonder if Fairfax will join the coalition now? Now do the math and see how this is costing tax payers and straining services!!
157 agree | 176 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
MR. Connolly and the ILLEGAL ALIEN they are bounding together let the voters dicide wish one will go first, see you in NOVEMBER.
168 agree | 115 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I agree with the reader, every BUSINESS that hire an illegal immigrant should be report to the IRS to conduct an audit, because this employer they dont't pay nor disclose the taxes witheld from the employee and that is ILEGAL it's TAXEVASION.
144 agree | 128 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I don't understsnd how FAIRFAX COUNTY will realease this CRIMINALS to the street when they can't no work legaly tell me what they will do but comitte a CRIME over and over again. Please somebody give me an answer.
189 agree | 161 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Why is the State of Virginia don't call ICE and let them DEPORT all of these CRIMINALS ILLEGAL ALIENS? and don't weasting taxpayers money encarcerate and release them into the street, were they will do samething they did over and over again.
179 agree | 114 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Manassas, VA said:
17 percent, or 2,409 people....in PW jails ILLEGAL. most illegal immigrants are incarcerated after being convicted of drunken driving and other alcohol-related offenses.....how many aren't caught? Illegals are a huge burden on PW county residents. We must regain control of our community or these numbers go higher.
188 agree | 166 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Herndon, Virginia said:
Kaine and Connolly keep passing the illegal alien hot potato. Is there any leadership between the two? Sign the petition: www.helpsaveVirginia.com
168 agree | 117 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I think that Mr. Walkinshaw may be on the unemployment come November.
171 agree | 138 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Fairfax taxpayer said:
Connolly wants more illegals because they require increased government.` -ie: more cops, more social workers, more ESL, etc.,
179 agree | 148 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
There is a solution in any problem if only these people will work together for the common good. During elections, candidates are affiliated to either Republicans, Democrats or Independents- but after election, these people who won to govern should be affiliated to the people and be loyal to their constituents and not to their parties. Forget about your parties and do your job. Reps wants to outdo Dems and vice-versa to get credits PERIOD
187 agree | 147 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
In response to the last comment, I actually think there is *that* much disagreement about immigration policy, so much that it could not be resolved. And the Feds, despite bloated homeland security budgets, have totally dropped the ball on the toes of various state and local officials. Despite that, Gerry Connolly, who is currently serving in office, doesn't get to pull his toes away from getting smashed when the ball comes towards him. For pointing out that he is trying to do just that, I agree with Gary Baise. The answer to multi-layered woes like the illegal immigration problem is not for elected officials to turn all turtle on us and hide from them. Gerry Connolly is going all turtle on us. Granted he tends to be a snapping turtle, but he going turtle nonetheless, and that is unacceptable.
177 agree | 126 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
There you go, it's POLITICS at work. That is the main reason why these people were against the passage of the immigration bill- election time is nearing and at least they will have this issue on immigration as their platforms. It's all POLITICS...
173 agree | 168 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader #2 said:
I tend to side more with with Baise and disagree with Connolly and Walkinshaw. I identify myself as a Republican. I have a humane view of illegal aliens and I certainly do not want to round up and deport illegal aliens. I want to accept that those whose only crime (and it is one) was crossing the border came for a better life and I would like to find a fair resolution that lets those who want to be citizens stay and assimilate into making a stronger America (like my own ancestors did). For now, we have to get a handle on the problem before it overwhelms us and we cannot expect help from the Feds and the rather incompetent bureaucracy we call DHS. The way we do that is to slow the spigot of new illegals. And the way we slow the spigot is, as several people have said, to crack down on the employers who hire undocumented, illegal workers. I would rather punish the employers than come up with crazy ideas like denying illegal aliens medical care, as some have. They are people, too.
182 agree | 168 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I truly believe the commonsense response to illegal immigration is to crack down on the BUSINESSES who hire illegals. Every morning in Vienna I see the same landscaping company picking from the growing crowd of day laborers congregated at Park and Cedar. Are the authorities incapable of seeing the same scene playing out again and again? I do NOT blame people who come to this country seeking a better life. Yes, the broke the law crossing the border. But if there was not truly a much better life waiting on the other side, they would not stay and would not return again once they are deported. Many of these people are good, hard working people that I would be proud to call my countrymen. Rather than resort to profiling and bickering, let's punish the businesses that hire illegal aliens. But let's also remember the Feds are accountable for this failure - it is their job to secure borders. They don't seem to want to do it, depite all their chants of "9-11."
166 agree | 139 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
No worries. I am a Fairfax resident and I will remember come election time.
170 agree | 155 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree