Dan Genz, The Examiner
2008-02-28 08:00:00.0
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WASHINGTON -

Lawyers and civil rights advocates are preparing Prince William County’s large and alarmed immigrant population for one of the nation’s most closely watched illegal immigration enforcement policies, set to begin Monday.

About 300 people attended a lengthy legal briefing Tuesday night at a Woodbridge restaurant, said Lisa Johnson-Firth, a lawyer with the Immigration and Human Rights Law Group in Manassas, adding demand has never been higher.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said.

Police officers will begin checking the legal status of traffic violators and minor crime suspects if they have probable cause to believe someone is illegally present in the U.S. Illegal immigrants wanted by federal authorities could be deported under the new program.

Lawyers are advising immigrants to obey all laws and avoid any behavior that would attract police attention, including public intoxication and driving with a broken taillight.

Driving without a license or with a false license is the first thing to avoid, said Luis Paoli, an Alexandria lawyer with years of Immigration and Customs Enforcement experience.

“If you don’t have a driver’s license, don’t drive,” Paoli said.

If an illegal immigrant or immigrant unsure of his legal status is questioned by police under the new policy, Johnson-Firth said, he should not speak without a lawyer present.

“Remain silent. Remain silent. Remain silent. Request a lawyer,” Johnson-Firth said.

Legal immigrants should keep all documents up to date and carry their green cards or permanent documents, said Kathy Doan, executive director of the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition.

Families also are being instructed to prepare notarized documents granting power of attorney to a relative or friend who is a legal permanent resident or citizen. That is a critical step for parents of children who would remain behind if they are deported.

Immigrant rights lawyers have protested the county’s policy and said they would review cases for potential legal challenges after its implementation next week.

Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart, a champion of the crackdown, on Wednesday called the plan a public safety initiative.

He added his own advice Wednesday: “If you’re illegal, leave.” For those who stay, “at a bare minimum, keep your nose clean.”

dgenz@dcexaminer.com