287(g) Program Reduces Crime, Saves Taxes
Prince William County Board of Supervisors’ Chairman Corey Stewart addressed local residents last Wednesday as part of the Loudoun County Republican Committee’s Ronald Reagan Lecture Series. While the focus of his talk was on
Stewart stated that since Prince William (PW) began participating in the 287(g) program, over 1622 illegal aliens have been arrested in the county and 1522 have been released to ICE for deportation. He pointed out that violent crime in the county of 400,000 residents declined 19.3% the first year of participation in the program and another 22% in the following year. “This drop is statistically significant” said Stewart, challenging claims by those opposing the county’s enforcement policy that there was no connection between the 287(g) arrests and the drop in crime. Citing other figures, as well as quoting illegals advocate’s own statements, the Chairman pointed out that a significant portion of PW’s illegal population had relocated out of the county since the 287(g) program was instituted.
As an additional example of savings to the taxpayers, Stewart pointed out how PW’s hospitals saw the number of uninsured births to illegals dropped by approximately 500 births per year following the county’s participation in the 287(g) program. These medical costs were shifted to insured patients, companies, and the taxpayers, because our hospitals cannot bear that expense every year.
“We deliberately limited the scope of our laws to insure that they would stand up to legal challenge,” Stewart said. “We did not want courts to overturn them, the way they were in Hazleton, PA.” He then added, “Don’t let politicians get away with claiming ‘There is nothing local government can do about the illegals problem’ unchallenged. Clearly, there are things that are legal that work, because we have successfully done them.”
Responding to questions, Stewart said he thought the tipping point for the county came when several violent crimes committed by illegals occurred in rapid succession. The public outcry about these crimes galvanized Stewart and several other politicians to greater action. Stewart also pointed out that while the vast majority of illegals were, other than their immigration status and use of fraudulent documentation, law-abiding people, they were part of a system that exploits the taxpayer. Businesses hire illegals because they work for less money, typically don’t get health insurance benefits, and may not pay taxes. This creates an unfair competitive environment for businesses that only hire citizens and aliens with valid work permits.
Stewart warned that illegals advocates and some members of the media try to distort the PW position, claiming that it is hostile to immigrants in general and is just a way to justify racial profiling. To the contrary, Stewart claimed, the influx of illegals hurts those attempting to immigrate legally. Stewart stated that some foreigners attempting to immigrate legally have to wait for years, or even decades, before getting their paperwork approved. “We must have a reasonable immigration policy, as well as control of our borders. America needs more legal, skilled immigrants that will add to our economy. This is a battle over legal status and the rule of law, and not about immigration.”