The new measure (read portions here) has several components, but one crucial aspect is that county workers will verify that individuals are legally present before providing services. According to the measure, the county will have 90 days to study which services will be denied and how the program will be implemented.
The coverage on this measure yields predictable responses. A Washington Post article got comments from an illegal woman,
Outside a county health clinic yesterday, Millie, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she is undocumented, started to tremble when told of the resolution. She moved to Prince William 15 years ago and overstayed her visa. "I don't know how people will live in this country," she said. "Your house will be like a prison. People will be dying of fear."
When Millie questions how people will live in this country, she unknowingly hits on the point---we don't want illegal immigrants living in this country. And the fear she speaks of is a fear anyone who breaks the law should feel: fear of being caught. Currently, with so little enforcement many illegals have nothing to fear.
The Post also made sure to hit that other predictable response: opposing illegal immigration makes one hate filled and racist.
"There's a lot of hate in this county," said Tulio Diaz, a native of Puerto Rico who has lived in Prince William since 1972. He also suspects another motive behind the measures. "It's an election year, and it's a great wedge issue," he said. "So who do you pick on?"
The Daily Press article on the new measure quoted one woman with a concern about education,
"I am here because it's against justice," said Maria Hernandez, a U.S. citizen and former illegal immigrant from El Salvador... "How is it possible that our children won't have an education because they are illegal?"
It is uncertain whether the new measure will be applied to education, and if it is there will be a court battle since currently children of illegal immigrants are guaranteed access to public education. But I am curious that Ms. Hernandez doesn't see the illogic in her question. I could ask, "How is it I can't rob a bank because it is illegal?" "How is it I can't have access to recreational drugs becasue they are illegal?" It looks like I answer my own question---because it's illegal.
Unfortunately, many politicians in this country don't see the illogic. And fortunately, the leaders in Prince William County do.
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