Officially passed but they need to secure long term financing

Prince William Passes Resolution on Illegal Immigrants
Last Edited: Wednesday, 17 Oct 2007, 7:53 AM EDT
Created: Wednesday, 17 Oct 2007, 5:00 AM EDT

WOODBRIDGE, Va. (AP) -- After 12 hours of meeting and hearing emotional testimony, Prince William County supervisors voted to move forward with their contentious measure to deny services to illegal immigrants.

They postponed the matter of how to secure long-term funding for the plan, which includes allowing police to check the residency status of anyone arrested in the county and improve cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

More than 1,200 people packed the county government complex in Woodbridge and the streets outside last night -- and about 400 signed up to address the supervisors during the public comment period.

As the meeting began, supporters and opponents of the measures scuffled in the street before police separated them.

Supervisors were supposed to vote on the restrictions two weeks ago, but put off the vote while they studied the county's budget situation.

-mn