Hispanic Groups Charge Police With Random I.D. Checks

WUSA-TV Video Report

By Cindy Pena WUSA-TV Washington D.C.

WOODBRIDGE, VA -- From the businesses to the workers gathering on street corners, you can see the immigrant community is growing in Prince William County and with that are some serious concerns.

Today advocates for the Hispanic community charged that Prince William County Police are now conducting random I.D. checks among immigrant workers. They point to a case this week where officers approached a group of men outside a restaurant in Woodbridge and ordered them to provide identification.

Police say they are not concerned about people's status, but were called to investigate a loitering complaint. As part of that investigation, they asked for I.D. and arrested one of the men when they discovered he was wanted by immigration officials in Texas. That was Tuesday.

Thursday morning, federal agents raided an apartment complex in Dumfries and arrested more than a dozen immigrants for allegedly working on a construction project at the Quantico Marine Base.

Residents there also saw Prince William County Police and, while officers weren't involved in the raid, they were providing traffic support.

Fearing deportation, advocates are now concerned people are not coming forward to report crimes.

For the past 3 years police have worked diligently with the Hispanic community to build trust. Now some say that relationship has soured.

©2010 WUSA-TV Washington D.C.. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.