Follow Up: Illegal Immigrant Backlash Felt Locally

COMMENTLINE
Herndon residents voted earlier this week to replace incumbents who supported a controversial day-labor center for immigrant workers.

Some have said that the local election signals beginning of a voter backlash against local and federal immigration policy.

In the end, it may be that Americans will solve the illegal immigration problem by finding a consensus among themselves rather than with immigrants. The consensus solution would probably mean something other than making attempts at providing amnesty for those breaking the law. We are more likely to see the creation of a guest worker program, massive alien registrations, government support for those who wish to become citizens, and a border wall with a gate for those who will be going home.

Here are some more developments:

NEWSLINE
"Politicians across the country should take note of the results of this election," said Chris Simcox, president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, an organization that patrols the U.S.-Mexico border. The group's Herndon allies videotaped hiring activity at a day labor center created to help immigrant workers find employment.

NEWSBYTES
Seeing Vote's Effects Far Beyond Herndon
Immigration Opponents Cheer Election
(www.washingtonpost.com) -- National anti-immigration groups warned politicians yesterday that Tuesday's election in Herndon was the beginning of a voter backlash against local and federal immigration policy.

NATIONALLY
Monday's boycott generating backlash of frustration, anger
(www.signonsandiego.com) -- When three businesses on his block closed in observance of a national pro-immigrant boycott Monday, barbershop owner Gabriel Pollack stayed open.

Growing Unease for Some Blacks on Immigration
WASHINGTON, May 3 (www.nytimes.com) -- In their demonstrations across the country, some Hispanic immigrants have compared the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s struggle to their own, singing "We Shall Overcome" and declaring a new civil rights movement to win citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants.

Immigrant protests setting off backlash
(www.fftimes.com) -- There’s an emotional backdrop to the growing protests supporting illegal immigrants in the United States.

MORE ON HERNDON
Day Labor Demand Rises in Herndon
Gain Is Tied to Weather; About 50 Workers Hired Each Day at Center
(www.washingtonpost.com) -- The demand for day laborers at the Herndon Official Workers Center increased by about 15 percent from March to April, mostly because of seasonal factors, according to Bill Threlkeld, director of Project Hope and Harmony, which operates the center.

Herndon voters oust labor-center backers
HERNDON (AP) -- Voters unseated the mayor and two Town Council members who supported creation of an immigrant day-labor center in a contest some considered a mini-referendum on illegal immigration.

FAIR: Accommodate Illegal Immigration, Lose the Next Election
Supporters of Day Labor Center in Herndon, Virginia, Swept Out of Office
WASHINGTON, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuesday's municipal elections in Herndon, Virginia, were about one issue: illegal immigration. Last year, in the face of overwhelming public opposition, the mayor and a majority on the town council approved a publicly funded day labor hiring center that is used almost exclusively by illegal alien workers. On Tuesday, all but one local official who backed the illegal alien hiring center received pink slips from the voters.

Vote Heartens Illegal Immigration Foes
A day after massive marches nationwide, opponents of a day labor center win a majority on a Virginia Town Council.
HERNDON, Va. (www.latimes.com) -- The results of Tuesday's Town Council elections in this small suburban community could serve as a powerful admonition to politicians across the country who favor greater rights for illegal immigrants, according to some residents and local officials.

Tags: border wall, Immigration, Mexico, illegal, Aliens, Homeland Security, rights, reform, Herndon
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