Stafford to study immigrants' impact

Stafford County task force will look at the impact of illegal immigrants in the county

Date published: 9/1/2007

By CATHY DYSON

A new group in Stafford County will look at the impact illegal immigrants have on services, but members probably won't go outside county borders for information.

Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer, who represents the Garrisonville District, doesn't want a regional approach. He's not interested in partnering with officials in the town of Culpeper, who recently wrote the Stafford supervisors about pooling ideas. Nor does he care about a similar report on immigrants in Chesterfield County near Richmond.

"We'll take our own time, bring in our own people and take a Stafford approach," Dudenhefer said.

Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde had suggested a regional group since Culpeper and nearby localities "are leading the country right now" in addressing the problem of illegal immigrants.

Dudenhefer and Falmouth District Supervisor George Schwartz were picked by their colleagues to put together a task force.

For about an hour yesterday, they met with Sheriff Charles Jett and four county employees to discuss who else should join them.

They talked about including representatives from various agencies, including health and human services, schools and parks and recreation.

They want to hold public sessions to gather input from the community. They plan to talk to church members and minority groups, to those who might be affected by the task force's actions, as well as those who want illegal immigrants immediately deported.

The group also wants a "dynamic" citizen to chair the task force. Members had a few people in mind, but didn't expect anyone to volunteer, given the work--and controversy--involved.

Dudenhefer wants the group to present a report by April 1. There's a lot of data to gather "because right now we have nothing," Schwartz said.

But before anyone starts meeting, Dudenhefer wants the entire board to sign off on a resolution Tuesday approving the task force.

"Everyone on that board needs to take ownership, whether they want to or not," Dudenhefer said.

Last month, George Washington District Supervisor Pete Fields voted against forming the task force because he didn't want to stigmatize any residents.

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Date published: 9/1/2007