Free Republic

WASHINGTON-The United Nations plans to examine Prince William County’s aggressive crackdown on illegal immigrants during a visit next week. Jorge Bustamante, the United Nation’s special rapporteur on migrants’ rights, plans to tour Manassas and Woodbridge, receive briefings on local enforcement measures, and attempt to meet with local officials. He contacted immigrant leaders in the county two months ago to begin preparing for a visit, saying he was interested in the landmark nature of the county’s actions. Special rapporteurs are tasked with reviewing human-rights issues of international concern to raise political pressure and shape public opinion, but cannot issue sanctions. The...

Months after Prince William County began one of the country's toughest crackdowns on illegal immigrants, officials and residents report signs that substantial numbers of people have left the county, particularly from Hispanic neighborhoods. Dave Whitlow, town manager of Dumfries, said officials started noticing the change a few months ago when they canvassed communities popular among Hispanic families and found roughly 165 residences vacant among 1,600 houses and town houses. Shopkeepers and teachers of English as a second language also have noticed a drop-off. "We are having many more leaving," said Mr. Whitlow, who could not estimate what percentage of those...

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart, the politically ambitious architect of the county's illegal immigration crackdown, said he plans to run for lieutenant governor next year. It is well known that Stewart, a conservative Republican, is eyeing higher office. He frequently has been mentioned as a potential successor to U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.). And now that Davis has decided not to seek reelection, Stewart has declared himself the "preeminent Republican in Northern Virginia." Stewart said he spent the past month weighing his options while watching the General Assembly reach a virtual stalemate on...

RICHMOND — Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart, who engineered the county's crackdown on illegal aliens last summer, plans to run for lieutenant governor next year. Mr. Stewart, a Republican, told The Washington Times the job would give him the platform to pressure lawmakers into doing more to crackdown on illegal aliens. "By running statewide it gives me the bully pulpit to do that," he said. While several Republicans are said to be considering bids for attorney general next year, Mr. Stewart, a Minnesota native and Georgetown University graduate, is the party's highest-profile figure to indicate...

Illegals-law challenge rejected By Seth McLaughlin December 1, 2007 Virginia Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A federal judge yesterday threw out a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Prince William County's [Va.] new ordinance denying services to illegal aliens. Judge James C. Cacheris said during a brief hearing at U.S. District Court in Alexandria that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the resolution passed earlier this year by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. Judge Cacheris said he will issue a written ruling at a later time detailing his decision. The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund filed...