Joe Rogalsky, The Examiner
2007-11-29 08:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

Prince William County delegates are preparing legislation targeting homes teeming with illegal immigrants and sanctioning jurisdictions that are lax on the aliens.

The proposals would add to a cornucopia of proposals already in the works. The State Crime Commission, for example, already has recommended 17 measures to lawmakers that would give police more power to detain illegal immigrants and begin deportation proceedings against them. More lawmakers are also expected to formulate bills as the General Assembly session’s January start nears.

Del. Robert Marshall, R-Manassas, said he would introduce a bill that would allow counties and other local jurisdictions to fine owners of overcrowded homes $4,000 instead of the current $2,500. The bill also would permit jurisdictions to fine the owners $1,500 per person living in a home over the legal limit.

“We are making it very expensive to break the law,” he said.

State and local officials wanting to rid their localities of illegal immigrants have long sought to crack down on residences where numerous people live, violating zoning regulations. In Loudoun County, for example, supervisors recently asked lawmakers for permission to fine property owners $7,500 per violation.

Even officials who do not support tough measures against illegal aliens, such as Fairfax County Chairman Gerry Connolly, want to eliminate overcrowded houses because they consider the dwellings eyesores and threats to public safety.

Definitions of an overcrowded house vary by jurisdiction. Fairfax County generally limits houses to four unrelated occupants. As many as 10 people can live together with permission from the Board of Zoning Appeals. A group of six cousins wanting to share a house would have to seek approval, for example.

Del. Jeff Frederick, R-Prince William County, is drafting legislation that would financially punish counties and other local jurisdictions that provide any public services to illegal immigrants, except those required by federal law. His measure would withhold state aid to localities that have not passed ordinances similar to Prince William County’s, which ban illegals from receiving local taxpayer-funded services from care for senior citizens to drug rehabilitation.

“In 2005 we passed legislation that said that no county, city or town in Virginia or any state agency can provide public benefits to illegal aliens,” Frederick said. “Unfortunately, there is no teeth in that law, and localities can ignore it. [Legislators] need to put teeth behind that law.”

Frederick’s proposal is certain to face potentially fatal opposition from local officials who do not want the state dictating policies to them.

“Northern Virginia is a blend of nationalities, religions and languages united by common values,” said Falls Church City Council Member David Snyder. “We would vigorously oppose any measure by anyone that would pull apart that fabric, harm our economy, deny fundamental rights and squash the concept of self-government.”

jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com