Illegal Immigrant Backlash Felt Locally

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

The election served as a local referendum on the larger national issue of illegal immigration.

Protesters may do well to expect the unexpected consequences of bringing the issue of illegal immigration into the vast American consciousness.

In the end, it may be more likely that Americans will solve the problem by finding a consensus among themselves than with immigrants. The consensus solution would probably bring a guest worker program, alien registrations, government support for those who wish to become citizens, and a border wall with a gate for those who must return home rather than any attempt at providing amnesty for those who break the law.

NEWSLINE
The labor center forced the western Fairfax County town into the national spotlight last summer as the immigration debate grew deeply contentious. Even though fewer than 3,000 people voted yesterday, advocates on both sides of the issue looked at the Herndon election as a test of public sentiment. Outside groups such as the Minuteman Project, which opposes illegal immigration, intervened in the debate, and Judicial Watch, a conservative legal group, is suing the town over the establishment of the center.

NEWSBYTE
Labor Site Backlash Felt at Polls In Herndon
(www.washingtonpost.com) -- Herndon voters yesterday unseated the mayor and two Town Council members who supported a bitterly debated day-labor center for immigrant workers in a contest that emerged as a mini-referendum on the turbulent national issue of illegal immigration.

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