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Some feel next board will oppose immigration measures
Several measures under consideration by county officials to make Loudoun less hospitable to illegal immigrants may receive a cool reception from a Board of Supervisors led by a majority of Democrats next year."I think they'll pass effective measures without spending millions and millions of dollars on action that doesn't matter," said Thom Beres, chairman of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.
Beres said he sees the new board focusing more on increasing local zoning enforcement rather than withholding funding from charities that assist illegal immigrants and issuing county identification cards, items proposed by Republicans currently on the board.
This summer, a Republican-controlled board unanimously approved a resolution asking county staff to examine ways of denying some services to illegal immigrants and withholding contracts and business licenses from businesses that employ workers in the country illegally. It also recently agreed to join a coalition that will examine the effects of illegal immigration on local jurisdictions.
What's more, the Sheriff's Office is negotiating with federal authorities to have deputies trained in deportation proceedings.
"It's still in their hands," explained Sheriff Steve Simpson Nov. 9, saying that federal officials have yet to sign off on the county's 287(g) agreement. The program trains local officers in federal immigration laws and procedures.
Since their 9-0 vote to approve Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio's illegal immigration resolution on July 17, some board members have voiced opposition to at least one measure being considered.
Supervisors Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) and Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) have expressed concerns with requiring nonprofits to check residency status to receive county money, with Burton calling the suggestion "cruel" at one point.
On the same matter, Chairman Scott York (I-at large) has said he would not want to see someone with a communicable disease turned away from a free clinic because he or she is in the country illegally.
"Any kind of extreme measure is dead," said Laura Valle, an advocate for the local immigrant community, commenting on what actions the next batch of supervisors may take on the issue.
Like Beres, Valle thinks the next board will target businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants. But she thinks it will oppose the issuance of identification cards, and she expects Democrats to vote to keep allowing all county residents access to public services.
"I'm really pleased with the outcome," she said of the election.
As for the board's fiercest defender of a tougher stance by the board on illegal immigration, Delgaudio expressed little concern of his minority status starting in January derailing his resolution.
He said Nov. 6, after defeating Democrat Jeanne West in the Sterling supervisor race, that illegal immigration is an issue that transcends party lines. "Everyone has been saying they want to tighten up on illegal aliens," he said, adding "I already got 9-0 votes on this."
The board will next discuss the topic of illegal immigration during a Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at the government center in Leesburg.
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
"Since their 9-0 vote to approve Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio's illegal immigration resolution.."
That is not actually what they did. Some of the language in Delgaudio's version was determined to be unsubstantiated nonsense, and had to be changed.
What the board voted 9-0 to approve was an agreement to investigate the issue, minus the pre-ordained conclusions that were cluttering Delgaudio's draft. He needs to dial back the ego a little.
Posted by David
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The new BOS needs to focus on real issues, not wedge issues like illegal immigration. If they stay focused on transportation, education and other quality of life issues in Loudoun, they will stay in office.
Let us hope that Loudoun has chosen well.
Posted by LoudounPatriot
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Guess it's a matter of opinion "LoudounPatriot". But from my point of view, this "wedge issue" as you labeled it has a direct affect on education and my quality of life here in Loudoun.
Posted by ScottyD
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