Posted on 12/18/2006 9:02:44 AM PST by chambley1
MANASSAS, Va. (AP) - One of Virginia's fastest growing counties is attempting to determine how much money illegal immigration is costing the county government - and may send a bill to the federal government for the additional costs.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has asked county staff to complete the study by Jan 16. The county, where about 20 percent of residents are foreign-born, is one of several local governments grappling with a wave of new residents, many of them illegal immigrants.
Supervisors said the problem is driving up costs for schools, health care, law enforcement and social services.
``By putting a number on the cost, this gives us an opportunity to push back on the federal government and say 'Look what you are doing to us on the local government level,' `` said Supervisor W.S. Covington III, who proposed the study. ``I mean, it is the federal government's responsibility to regulate commerce. They are the ones who are supposed to secure the borders.''
Once the study is completed, Covington said he would propose sending a bill to the federal government for the full cost of illegal immigration. But he said he is realistic enough to know the county probably won't see a penny.
``I really think they should pay, but it is more symbolic,'' Covington said.
The study will include the impact on the police department and jail and court system. Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan requested that the county's hospitals and health clinics also be reviewed. County staff have said they may not be able to meet the Jan. 16 deadline for the study of immigration costs.
The study is unusual, according to a leading Hispanic civil rights group.
``This is a very complex request covering several agencies,'' said county spokeswoman Liz Bahrns.
Sounds like a plan. Maybe if the feds had to absorb more of the cost, they'd do something about it. OTOH, they'd probably just raise taxes.
simple really, implement the law in regards to legal citizenship,occupancy laws,social security status,housing, and see how much you save....thats how much it's costing you. Just think of the revenue that could be gained if fines are levied against illegal hiring practices...but oh, forgive me, I've wandered on to the common sense path.
Doogle
Except some Carter or Clinton appointed Federal judge will declare your law unconstitutional.
I had to go back to the source of the article (WMAL) after reading your comment.
I thought it might have been the ultra-liberal "Manassas Journal Messenger" which I'm expecting to be published in Spanish very soon.
Just raise taxes. The best two things about working for the government are: Spending other peoples' money - who give a rat's a$$ how much it costs, and 2 NEVER EVER having to face the consequences of anything you do. Kill someone in a mistaken raid no problem - the taxpayers will pay for the lawsuit. Spend a trillion dollars on the "war on poverty" only to find that paying people to make the bad life choices that keeps them poor - keeps them making the same bad life choices - no problem - just spend another trillion dollars - after all it isn't as if it comes from your pocket.
..don't you find it sorta of weird that Sheriff Arpaio can run his prison on his terms and round up illegals as he sees fit and is now working to have his deputies working rounding up illegals.......ALL under the Ninth Circuit the wackiest liberal court in the land which Arizona falls under?. Is it that the good sheriff WILL ENFORCE THE LAWS, or is it that Prince William County does not have a backbone?
Doogle
"One of Virginia's fastest growing counties is attempting to determine how much money illegal immigration is costing the county government..."
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They don't "cost" the government one single peso.....
Now...they DO however cost the taxpayer a bunch!
The county should just increase its own county taxes to cover the losses, and let everyone know the reason for the increase.
You actually have found the key to the problem. If the county/state/federal politicians would actually be honest and say.....because feeding, clothing, housing, educating,providing medical care, etc. to illegal aliens is costing us X amount of dollars, we are going to have to raise sales tax X amount, state tax X amount, and federal taxes X amount, taxpayers would be having a fit.
Since all these costs are just added into the regular costs of doing business, people actually have no clue what illegal immigration costs them.
If they do it right...it will scare them to death.....
http://www.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp
VICTIMS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS
MEMORIAL
In honor of Americans killed by illegal aliens.
Deaths that could have been prevented if Congress and the President would have secured our borders and enforced US immigration laws.
Each day a victim's name will be added to the memorial.
You don't have to convice me, I see it on the news here every single night. ;)
..eyep
"... There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one MAKES them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. ......just pass the the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted -- and you create a nation of law-breakers -- and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."- p.411, Ayn Rand, ATLAS SHRUGGED, Signet Books, NY, 1957 "...
ping
What an excellent idea! I think tripling the property taxes of the white home owning citizens to provide "services" such as public schooling to the ninos, emergency room care for all of their health problems, and of course housing and food assistance to illegal immigrants is a first step toward real social justice. Remember the USA was founded on the premise "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Or was that the Soviet Union?
Prince William county should start with the State of Virginia. The state government has a department dedicated to lobbying for more and more money to provide services to illegal aliens. Millions are allocated in the budget each year to provide health care, housing -- you name it.
A recent WAPO article about the town of Herndon problem with illegals stated that an illegal was stopped for speeding by the local police. The driver had on liscense, no insurance, no nothing, so he was let go rather than arrest him because he was illegal.
The excuse given previously by the Herndon police was that they didn't want to upset the latino community because they would not tell them where crime was. Excuse me, but I always thought we paid the police to go out and find/fight crime; not depend on illegal aliens to tell them where crime was.
OB
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