WASHINGTON — As some Washington-area residents celebrate President Barack
Obama’s new immigration plan, a typically outspoken critic of the president’s
policies is putting out a list of names of people who won’t be deported and who
he says pose a threat to the community.
Prince William County Board Chairman Corey Stewart says the list includes people
in the country illegally who have been convicted of misdemeanors involving some
kind of violence or abuse.
“We’re very concerned that as part of this proposal, known criminals are going to
be given amnesty and sanctuary in the United States,” he tells WTOP.
“The president said that felons are not going to be able to stay in the country
but that people who have committed misdemeanors are, and that’s what’s got us
concerned,” Stewart says.
“Simply because you haven’t committed a felony doesn’t mean that you’re not a
danger. A lot of these people have committed very serious misdemeanors,” he adds.
Stewart did appear to show a slight softening in tone by keeping the focus on
public safety.
“We’re not as concerned about the ‘average Joe’ who’s just here minding his own
business trying to make a living for his family, we’re mostly concerned about
those who are committing crimes.”
That’s a pleasant change in tone for SEIU 32BJ Vice President Jaime Contreras.
Many of the union’s members are immigrants.
Contreras says the members and their loved ones are breathing a sigh of relief
after Obama’s announcement.
“At least on a temporary basis, to be able to work and live free of fear…is a big
deal. That affects families. That affects children who don’t know if their mom or
dad is going to come home from work from one day to the next, and that is a
constant fear that people live every day,” he says.
“I’m curious to see Corey Stewart’s list and who’s on it, and what those
misdemeanors are. At the end of the day … people who have been convicted of a
crime or people who pose a threat to the country, those people are going to be
deported,” he adds.
Stewart says the list includes people in the country illegally who have committed
a crime, but who were then released back into the community by federal
authorities.
Asked about the difference between citizens and permanent residents who are
released from jail and those in the country illegally, Stewart says the
difference is “we’re not offering amnesty to citizens.”
“We have an opportunity to deport them and improve public safety. It just seems
reprehensible to me that we would be giving sanctuary to people who are
criminals,” Stewart says.
Contreras says far from amnesty, the new measures are only a partial step.
“It’s a temporary solution, it’s not a permanent solution. A permanent solution
is in Congress’ hands,” he says.
“What this really means is that millions of fathers and mothers and sisters and
brothers will no longer be afraid of being torn apart … Millions can now step out
of the shadows, and live a normal life,” Contreras says.
Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on the WTOP Facebook page.
