Va. County to check immigration status

WASHINGTON, July 11 (UPI) -- Prince William County near Washington D.C. has just approved one of the toughest immigration policies in the United States.

The board of county supervisors passed a resolution requiring police to ask about immigration status in all arrests if there is probable cause to believe that a suspect has violated federal immigration law.

The resolution passed Tuesday night also requires county staff to verify a person's legal status before providing some public services, the Washington Times reported Wednesday.

Board Chairman Corey A. Stewart, a Republican, said the board stepped "up to the plate" on immigration enforcement after the federal government failed to do so.

"We know this is a federal issue," Stewart said. "But I think the citizens have a right to expect that their local government and the state government are going to do whatever they can to address the problem."