Herndon OKs Day-Laborer Center

The Herndon Town Council last night approved a proposed center for immigrant day laborers on a 5-2 vote.

On Tuesday and again last night before voting after 11 p.m., the council heard testimony from scores of residents, most of whom oppose the application filed by Project Hope and Harmony, a group of community leaders and churches seeking to curb problems associated with day laborers loitering at one of the town’s 7-Eleven stores.

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The county has set aside $400,000 in taxpayer funds from its $3 billion annual budget to address the day-labor problem in Herndon, Annandale, Culmore and Springfield. It has yet to grant the funds to any group, and officials are still reviewing applications.

Protests erupted outside the Herndon Municipal Center during the council meeting and during the planning commission hearings earlier this month.

The commission voted 4-3 against recommending the proposal after the majority of residents who spoke said they opposed it.

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