County Feeling Immigration Raid's Ripple Effect

WASHINGTON - "The terror is just astronomical."

That's how Nancy Lyall of Mexicans without Borders describes the atmosphere in Prince William County.

Lyall says families of those picked up in a big immigration raid are now having trouble finding where the 34 men were taken. Those families can call the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to find out their status, but will have to provide their names, addresses and other information.

In the case of lawyers, it's also a Catch-22 as they can't get information about the detainees because they have to prove they are representing them, something they can't do if they don't know where their clients are.

Before the raid, fear had already gripped the community when the county started questioning the immigration status of people picked up for other suspected crimes.

Now, it's worse. For the families of those picked up, some are without a breadwinner. Others are without a way to travel because they don't have a valid driver's license.

For the community overall, Lyall says some businesses are failing.

"Homes are vacant and the property values have plummeted and the taxes are going outrageous," she says.

The Mexican Consul meets Thursday night with the community and Prince William County's police chief to discuss the crackdown.

That meeting is open to the public. It will be held at 7 p.m. at the old Kmart building in Woodbridge at the intersection of Routes 123 and 1.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)