New resolution viewed as success and failure

The law directed police officers to check the residency status of some residents stopped for traffic violations and other misdemeanors and creates a new method for starting federal deportation proceedings of illegal immigrants.

While supporters say the plan only enforces federal immigration laws, critics say it will result in discrimination against Hispanic residents.

The measure, a response to months of complaints about illegal immigration in the rapidly growing suburban community, stoked calls from the area’s leading immigrant organization Wednesday not to panic.

“The level of fear has dramatically increased here in the county,” Mexicanos Sin Fronteras coordinator Nancy Lyall said. “Right now, people are very, very emotional and distraught over what has happened. … The concept of leaving is not one they are discounting by any set of the imagination.”

The proposal will take weeks to implement. County Executive Craig Gerhart has said the move is not fully funded for the current fiscal year, in which the county is facing a $10 million deficit. But Board Chairman Corey Stewart said the law’s unanimous passage was a welcome success for residents who have witnessed a broken federal immigration system result in overcrowded homes and emergency rooms.

“We reacted to outcry from the public and the communities who have seen their neighborhoods deteriorating,” Supervisor John Stirrup said. “We want to get the attention of the U.S. Congress to act on this as well.”

But immigrants decry the move.

While some of Manassas hair-stylist Alex Ceron’s customers have already left, he urged others to stay put. “Wherever you go it is going to be the same, so why not fight for your rights,” the 23-year-old said.

Both sides turned their attention to a pending federal civil rights lawsuit filed against the county’s plan as the next battleground in the debate.

dgenz@dcexaminer.com