Maryland Welcomes Virginia's Immigrants

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Maryland Puts Welcome Mat Out for Virginia Immigrants

A resolution passed in Virginia's Prince William County last week to crack down on illegal immigrants might bring a mass relocation to welcoming states like Maryland, experts said.

The law bars illegal immigrants from obtaining business licenses and using services for the homeless, elderly and drug-addicted. In addition, police must check suspects' immigration status if there is reason to believe they are here illegally.

Full funding for the law has not yet been approved, so the effective date of the legislation has been delayed. Still, publicity about the law and its future enforcement may be enough to prompt some to uproot.

"They're absolutely coming. Some of the police officers in my district have said they've seen an increase in Virginia license plates driving around," said Will Campos, Prince George's County Council member. "It doesn't mean they're moving here, but they're browsing."

Campos attributed Prince George's tolerance of immigrants to its minority majority population.