“The sisters’ mission is peace and love,’’ said Corey Stewart, chairman of Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors. “My mission is law enforcement and the protection of public safety.’’
Prince William County, about 25 miles southwest of Washington D.C., stepped up its immigration enforcement in 2007 amid explosive growth of its Hispanic and immigrant populations. Under Stewart’s leadership, the county implemented a local policy requiring police to determine the immigration status of all people arrested on suspicion of violating state or local laws.
Stewart rushed back into the immigration debate after the Aug. 1 accident, firing off a statement that President Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and members of Congress “all have blood on their hands.’’
“What I’m hoping is that this situation, which because it involves a nun has drawn the nation’s attention, can serve as a catalyst for change and force the administration to come clean about its catch-and-release policies,’’ Stewart said. He also says the tragedy illustrates the need for Virginia to toughen its drunken driving laws.
Even though Stewart says he’s not running for higher office now, he is viewed as a possible lieutenant governor candidate in three years.
The day after the crash, Virginia’s attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli II, issued an advisory opinion concluding that police have the authority to inquire into the immigration status of any person stopped or arrested, similar to the Arizona immigration law under federal court review.
Arizona passed the law after rancher Robert Krentz was fatally shot while checking water lines on his property near the Arizona-Mexico border. Authorities believe a scout for drug smugglers is to blame, although an investigation continues.
The sisters at the Bristow, Va., monastery have buried Mosier, who would have turned 67 on Aug. 26. Two other nuns injured in the crash, Charlotte Lange and Connie Ruth Lupton, have undergone surgery and remain in critical condition.
