Loudoun’s new board showing their true colors. (Updated)

Well, folks, elections have consequences. After all the tough talk during the campaigns for the Board of Supervisor seats here in Loudoun, the Democrats who were elected to office have decided that “it’s a waste of money for counties to enforce federal immigration laws.” Funny to hear that, considering the stances taken by these same Democrats when they were campaigning.

I don’t know who the 4 Democrats were that voted to discontinue their efforts to hold local businesses accountable for hiring illegals. That should mean that only 1 is holding fast to their campaign assurances. Susan Klimek Buckley, for instance, had this to say when asked about the issue by the Washington Post:

Q: What is the appropriate role for local government in enforcement of federal immigration laws, and how do you view the current debate in Loudoun on the issue of illegal immigration?

A: Because the federal government has failed to act on the problem of illegal immigration, Loudoun County must take action. I support the resolution passed by the Board of Supervisors to asses the illegal immigration problem in Loudoun County and study ways to address it. Further action must focus on the best use of Loudoun’s limited resources to deal with this national problem. As Supervisor, I would take action against employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement so that our Sheriff’s Office is authorized to enforce federal immigration laws, work with the Sheriff’s Office to shut down document mills that illegally produce phony identification, and enforce zoning ordinances to prevent the overcrowding of homes. I support and recognize the value of legal immigration. We must ensure that while we’re combatting illegal immigration, we are not alienating the many people who have followed the rules and have come to this country legally. We live in a diverse community, and only by working together can we achieve a better Loudoun.

Emphasis mine. Andrea McGimsey, Potomac’s new Supervisor, said this:

We need to do what we can at the state and local level to stop illegal immigration. Put simply, illegal is illegal. Our first priority must be to deport any illegal immigrant who commits a crime and shut down the document mills that create false documents for illegal immigrants. Neighborhoods must also be protected from overcrowded housing. We must crack down on businesses that lure illegal immigrants to our community. People come here, because there is work and money to be found. This situation is not fair to honest businesses, which hire legal employees and must compete with unscrupulous businesses, which hire illegal immigrants for low wages.

Emphasis again mine. Sally Kurtz was quite long-winded whenever asked about the subject when expounding on the failure of the federal government to address this issue. (A perspective she and I share, I might add.) She touted the County’s participation in the ICE 287(g) program as something localities should engage in. Given the vote, does anyone really believe that the Board will be pushing Sheriff Simpson to really participate in that, considering that Simpson resisted the 287(g) agreement himself before getting handed a 2-to-1 loss at the GOP primary, resulting in his running as an independent supportive of 287(g)?

I’ve said before Simpson is looking to renege on that agreement. This vote by the Board will give him all the cover he needs to drop it completely. Have a quick look around since the elections; how many press releases has the Sheriff put out since then about Loudoun’s joint operations with ICE? Can you say, “zero?” Unless you count a release talking about how they had to have a private firm help them in finding the money they were owed for previous immigrations detentions, you sure can.

I sure hope the folks who were cheerleading to have all those Republicans kicked out of office are ready to enjoy the fruits of that activity. When illegals start leaving Prince William because that locality is cracking down on the businesses who hire them, they’re going to just mosey right over here. This was the 1st meeting, folks. The Democrats have 4 years’ worth of meetings coming, so they’re just getting warmed up.

Update: I just found this report over at the Examiner showing the full vote tally. Looks like McGimsey’s campaign stances aren’t holding to what she reported them to be. I wonder what else she’ll be changing?

Update 2: BVBL notes this action, too. He also makes a mention of a state Senate bill that’s been introduced that would require employers to verify employment eligibility using an already-available federal system.