Shifting immigration tactics in Virginia

In recent years, Virginia has been the epicenter for several strong anti-immigration efforts. Harsh measures taken in Prince William County have had wide-ranging effects on the population; even in something is benign as amateur soccer.

According to the Washington Post, the Virginia Commission on Immigration will soon send the governor a list of two dozen recommendations. The board worked for over a year on the proposed reforms which mostly consist of helping immigrants instead of penalizing them:

The panel's recommendations include increasing the number of English classes, shortening Medicaid residency requirements and extending in-state tuition to immigrants who meet certain criteria, The Washington Post…reported Monday.

Naturally, politicos on both sides of the aisle are critical of the reported suggestions; one Prince William County legislator claimed that “it was pretty clear the fix was in from the beginning.” Yet the commission’s ideas represent a necessary compromise designed to push the immigration debate forward rather than be stuck in petty bickering. The status quo on immigration has been an unmitigated failure. Hopefully, states like Virginia will comprehend that a more proactive approach on immigration is the best way to go.

Image- Christian Science Monitor
Sources- The Latin Americanist, Washington Post, New York Times, UPI

Prince William County's Immigrant Crackdown Impacting Everyday Life - Even Futbol

Prince William County, Virginia, and it's anti-immigrant crackdown is something I've been following. Today an article in the Washington Post points out how public policy impacts the private lives and personal time of Latinos.

As Prince William proceeds with its crackdown on illegal immigrants, one result is a shake-up and shrinking of the area's entrenched Hispanic soccer leagues. The reason is simple, organizers say: Players and fans, among them many illegal immigrants, are so worried about being detained by authorities en route to or at games that they are avoiding local fields. Legal immigrants are also wary, for themselves or their illegal relatives, organizers say.

The result has been that teams have moved their games. Some don't play because not enough players have signed up. Spectators aren't showing up for games the way they used to , no children playing on the sidelines.

Futbol and local games are a regular part of my family life and I can't even envision what Flushing Meadow Park in Queens, NYC would look like if this situation were repeated here.

Source : Washington Post