We want your opinions

ISSUE:

Anne Arundel County officials said they will sever ties with government contractors that employ illegal immigrants.

County Executive John R. Leopold issued an executive order last week that will require businesses to sign an affidavit swearing they do not employ people living in the country illegally. Evidence that a company has hired illegal immigrants would allow the county to drop the contractor.

Leopold said the federal government "hypocritically" tolerates such practices, but Anne Arundel will not.

Critics of the measure include Gustavo Torres, executive director of Casa de Maryland, who said it had the potential to further discrimination of Hispanics and could hurt businesses that use immigrant labor.

YOUR VIEW:

What kind of impact will Leopold's order have on employment in the county?

Tell us what you think at arundel.speakout@baltsun.com by Thursday. Please keep your responses short, and include your name, address and phone number. A selection will be printed next Sunday.