A team of sociologists and law enforcement experts is beginning a two-year evaluation of Prince William County's illegal immigration crackdown.

The researchers are asking a question that hasn't been explored before. They want to know how a community will change when its police officers start checking citizenship. The policing policy went into effect March 3.

Researchers from the University of Virginia, James Madison University and the Police Executive Research Forum will conduct the study.

County Police Chief Charlie Deane welcomes the scrutiny. He says they need to know how the policy impacts their overall mission of keeping the community safe.

The immigration crackdown is expected to cost $6.4 million the first year, more than twice as much as estimated.