Fredy Lopez is what is wrong.
Lopez, 50, pleaded guilty in federal court in September to conspiracy to commit immigration fraud.
He used his business, Lopez Enterprises at 8626 Centreville Road in the Manassas area, to submit fraudulent applications to obtain green cards for illegal immigrants.
Basically, he was facilitating the influx of illegal immigrants into our area.
And he got what he deserved; he was sentenced Thursday to 27 months in prison and two years of supervised release on federal immigration fraud charges.
Illegal immigration is one of the biggest topics of discussion in the Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County area.
Much of this discussion focuses on the illegal immigrants who come here. But though we may not want them here, we cannot fault them for wanting a better life for themselves and their families.
Lopez is a different story.
He is part of the business community that has latched onto illegal immigration as a money-making opportunity.
Much like the construction companies that turn a blind-eye to the undocumented status of their workers, Lopez is cashing in on the hopes and dreams of illegal immigrants.
And in so doing, he is making it possible for them to get here.
We have said before that the government should focus on doing something about businesses that hire illegal immigrants. If there is no work in an area, there will be no immigration.
The same thing applies to people like Lopez. If there is not somebody to make it easier for illegal immigrants to live here, then there will be less coming.
We are glad that the “book” was thrown at Lopez. We hope his example will be a warning to others.
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