MANASSAS, Va. -- The percentage of Hispanic residents in Prince William County has leveled off since officials implemented a new immigration policy.
Census data indicate Prince William had a net growth of 189 Hispanic residents last year after adding an average of 6,000 Hispanic residents each year from 2000 to 2007.
The county went from being 9.7 percent Hispanic to 19.3 percent Hispanic from 2000 to 2007, but dropped to 19.1 percent Hispanic in 2008.
Prince William's immigration policy took effect in March 2008. It requires police to check the legal status of everyone taken into custody for an alleged local or state crime.
Regionally, the proportion of Hispanics to the overall population grew last year.
Copyright The Associated Press