WashPo Gets It Wrong on PWC Anti-Illegal Immigration Changes

After reading the WashPo’s coverage this morning of changes in the Prince William County anti-illegal immigration policy, I was ready to blow a gasket.  Their headline, “Pr. William Softens Policy on Immigration Status Checks” and ensuing spin:

The Prince William County supervisors abolished a key part of the county’s illegal-immigration policy last night by directing police officers to question criminal suspects about their immigration status only after they have been arrested.

Yet, this whole notion that police can only question immigration status after an arrest isn’t supported by quotes just a few paragraphs later in their very own story.

“The basic policy is fundamentally the same. We just changed the way it’s implemented,” Supervisor Martin E. Nohe (R-Coles) said. “We want to give officers discretion in the field to use their judgment about when they ask and when they don’t. This allows them to make their own call.”

. . .

Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R-At Large) said the change will not amount to any “appreciable difference in the number of people arrested.”

“Every single person who is arrested will have their immigration status checked,” he said. “Officers will continue to have the discretion to check the status of anyone detained by them, even for minor infractions.”

Now, that IS a change. Prior to this, there was the silly “probable cause” standard that police had to establish before questioning someone’s immigration status. That was the reason why the issue of cameras in police cars was raised — to make sure there was documented evidence to defend against charges of racial profiling. If everyone were asked about their immigration status, there would be no question that there was no profiling going on.

Of course, had my WashTimes been delivered on time this morning before I left for work, I would have been greeted with this headline:

Prince William stiffens crackdown on illegals

From the WashTimes…

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors last night approved an addition to its 2-month-old crackdown on illegal immigrants, considered one of the most aggressive in country.

With the board’s decision, county police can verify the immigration status of anyone they arrest, even for minor infractions such as speeding or jaywalking. Before, they needed probable cause to think the person was in the country illegally.

. . .

Board Chairman Corey A. Stewart led the effort to crack down on illegal immigrants.

“This will increase the number of people who will have their immigration status checked,” the Republican said after the vote.