Stewart claims $3 million in an $850 million budget is not significant. Excuse me, wasn’t that the initial costs that the County identified as being attributable to illegal aliens? How could it be significant in one instance but insignificant in the other?
And what is it with Stirrup and this point of order?
Just finished watching the board meeting and there was some confusion about whether the ICE reimbursement budget item required a public hearing or not. Caddigan didn’t believe this was a hearing item but according to Craig Gerhart it exceeded a budgetary threshold and therefore it was required. Then on the tail of this confusion, Supervisor Jenkins commented about the lack of public participation in the process which he believes demonstrates a general lack of interest.
This money is a reimbursement from the federal government that goes back into the jail fund to support any additional expenses that they might have. This is not the total cost of the program 287(g). My question is what additional costs have we outlayed that are non-refundable? My presumption is that this would be better use of our tax money than restricting services.
Secondly, according to Pete there have been 860 detainers issued by ICE and 747 transfers with 154 currently doing time. Anybody else have questions about the math?
Additionally, it sounds as if they are still not at 100% for checking the status of foreign born inmates dispite being mandated to do so? Or is the proclaimation that they are checking 99% of the time just a CYA in case something goes wrong later on?
Also, Maureen asked long ago what this was going to cost and Corey bashed her over the head for asking. Is that on video somewhere? Today she commented that ‘we’ knew this was going to be expensive. I distinctly recall some Supervisors suggesting it would not be costly.
Lastly, what has been the true cost of this initiative, not the reimbursed portion but what is the County taxpayer responsible for?
My friend just came over with a pretty dreadful story. One of her employees called today to say he would be late for work. Let’s call him Joe, although this is not his real name.
No problem. Joe is one of her most reliable employees. He works 2 jobs and drives an older car. He was coming in to Manassas from the Fair Oaks area and was in the process of getting a ticket for going 7 miles over the speed limit.
As the Fairfax County officer walked away from the car, after giving him the ticket, he uttered the words, “Learn the rules of the road, Spic.”
This employee is Italian! His last name ends in ‘O’
Joe came into work in Manassas late, speechless, and in shock. He said he had never had anything like this happen to him.
Fairfax County needs to do better. This would never happen in Prince William County. Our officers are far more professional than this Fairfax officer. This is, however, what happens when certain groups are so vilified and demonized that people begin to think behavior of this nature is acceptable. This incident appears to have gone beyond racial profiling.
Now, can you imagine, a decorated war hero having to wait in limbo for citizenship?
The case is the latest in a string of lawsuits fighting prolonged, system-wide naturalization delays that are the result of lags in FBI background checks known as “name checks,” which USCIS’s own ombudsman has criticized as leading to rampant delays without any clear security benefit. Because of the delays, hundreds of thousands of citizenship applications have been held up well past the 120-day window established by Congress and the immigration agency itself for processing the applications.
“Our government has failed in its obligation to give a timely decision to long-time lawful permanent residents who have followed all the rules and want to pledge their allegiance to the United States,” said Cecillia Wang, managing attorney for the San Francisco office of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project. “It is particularly outrageous that Julian Polous Al Matchy, who voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart after being wounded in battle in Iraq, is among the countless immigrants who have been left in limbo in violation of the law.”
Specialist Polous is a permanent lawful resident of the United States, currently stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas. He is a native and citizen of Iraq. He immigrated to the U.S. in May 2001 and quickly applied for political asylum, which was granted in 2002. In 2005, he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Polous joined the U.S. Army in March 2006 and served, among other duties, as a translator. He was deployed along with his unit to his native country of Iraq. In October 2007, he was seriously wounded when a suicide bomber detonated himself 10 feet from Polous and his fellow soldiers. After partially recovering from his wounds, he agreed to another stint in Iraq until December 2007. For his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, two Army Commendation medals, a Combat Action badge, Gold Combat Spurs and many certificates and letters of appreciation. He continues to receive medical treatment for his wounds sustained in Iraq.
In April 2007, having met all requirements to be come a citizen of the U.S., Polous applied for naturalization. He was interviewed by the USCIS on January 18, 2008. Despite the passage of six months since his naturalization interview and numerous inquiries by Polous and his commanding officers, USCIS has failed to render a decision on his application for citizenship. USCIS has told Polous that he has not yet passed the FBI background check, despite his combat service in the U.S. Army.
“I was proud to serve America as a soldier in the U.S. Army,” said Polous. “I love this country and very much want to become a citizen. I hope that this lawsuit helps me and other immigrants realize that dream.”
The FBI has always conducted background checks of people applying for U.S. citizenship. However, in 2002, the USCIS began requiring an expanded FBI name check, which checks applicants’ names against a drastically over-inclusive FBI database that includes the names of innocent people like witnesses, crime victims or persons who have applied for government security clearances. When an applicant’s name is similar to a name in the FBI database, the FBI often will let the name check process stall for months or years because further investigation requires a manual review of paper files that may be scattered across the country. USCIS implemented this policy change without giving the public notice and an opportunity to comment, as required by law.
“The government is required to make a decision within 120 days of interviewing any applicant for naturalization. Spc. Polous is not unique in having to endure such an unlawful delay,” said Jonathan Willmoth, an attorney of McCrummen Immigration Law Group, LLC and lead attorney for Polous. “Julian Polous has sacrificed greatly for this country, and it is wrong to deny him citizenship when he has met all the necessary requirements contained in statute or regulation.”
Polous’ commanding officer, Col. David Sutherland, wrote a letter of recommendation in November 2007, referring to Polous’ “flawless performance,” his “willingness to sacrifice greatly” and his “demonstrated record of success.”
Reposting of Rules as a reminder, we are more than willing to discuss issues; however continued personal attacks will result in permanent banning.
Here’s how the blog works –
‘Censored’ List as of 05/05/08 –
Here is a calendar with the upcoming screenings for the film series. The Unity Film Series at George Mason’s Prince William Campus in the Verizon Auditorium is the first in an immigration film series of nine films, with discussions afterward facilitated by GMU students involved in conflict analysis and resolution.
Parking in the Occoquan Lot is free for the film series.
Thanks to Cindy for the reminder, and NGL for the film review of “De Nadie” below.
Wrong Supervisor Stirrup. They didn’t write you in support of Immigration Resolution, they wrote in opposition. Begs the question, does he even read his emails? My personal email has been selectively purged from their list but this just in from some of his other constituents that DON’T SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION!
Thank you for your support for the Rule of Law resolution, which has been very important to me and to the community.
Beginning on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, the Prince William County Police Department began implementing its revised policy regarding illegal immigration enforcement. The policy was amended that police will now inquire into the immigration status of all persons who are under physical custodial arrest for a violation of state or local law. If an immigration violation is believed to exist, police officers will inform the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) concerning that individual. Police officers retain discretion to inquire into immigration status prior to a physical custodial arrest. Police officers will protect crime victims and cooperative witnesses – regardless of their immigration status. Racial profiling is expressly prohibited. Police officers will not detain or arrest individuals based on their national origin, race, religion or creed. During the month of June, all police officers and relevant civilian personnel received training on the new policy and procedures.
More information regarding the Police Department’s immigration enforcement efforts can be found on the web site at: www.pwcgov.org/police.
Due to the numerous emails I have received, my response to you on this issue is general. If I have not answered you according to your need, please email me again at [email protected]
John T. Stirrup
Gainesville District SupervisorPrince William County Government
Sudley North Government Center
7873 Ashton Avenue
Manassas, Virginia 20109Main: 703-792-6195
Fax: 703-792-7664
Website: www.gainesvillesupervisor.com
It’s my understanding that today is the Chairman’s birthday! ¡Feliz Cumpleaños Chairman Stewart!
