Illegal Immigrants Targeted By States - Impasse on Hill Spurs New Laws

[jamesinca]

Source: Washington Post

Illegal Immigrants Targeted By States
Impasse on Hill Spurs New Laws

By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 25, 2007; Page A01

Frustrated with Congress's inability to pass an immigration overhaul bill, state legislatures are considering or enacting a record number of strongly worded proposals targeting illegal immigrants.

By the time most legislatures adjourned in May, at least 1,100 immigration bills had been submitted by lawmakers, more than double last year's record total, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This year's total is expected to grow as the issue continues to dominate debate in statehouses still in session.

These laws limit illegal immigrants' ability to obtain jobs, find housing, get driver's licenses and receive many government services. They also empower state law enforcement agencies to inquire into an immigrant's legal status and hold for deportation those deemed to be here illegally. The idea is to make life so difficult for illegal immigrants that they will leave the state -- if not the country.

"Illegal immigrants will not come to Oklahoma if there are no jobs waiting for them," said state Rep. Randy Terrill (R), who wrote his state's law, one of the most sweeping in the country. "They will not stay here if there are no government subsidies, and they certainly will not stay here if they know that if they come in contact with one of our officers, they will be physically detained until they are deported."



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/24/AR2007062401662.html?referrer=email

[jamesinca]

1. If they would go after the business owners

No incentive to hire an illegal alien may make the no job here thing a reality. $1,000 fine is not a deterrent for a business.

[papau]

3. That would be the best "make life difficult" for illegals and would negate need for other laws n/t

n/t

[pampango]

2. Sounds like a lot of state/local Repubs agree that the jobs are the lure.

"In Pennsylvania, Rep. Angel Cruz, a Democrat and the only Hispanic member of the legislature,"..."admitted that his proposal faces an uphill climb. It is competing with other measures -- "so many, like seven," he said -- that go after employers who hire illegal immigrants..."

"Republicans are pushing the bulk of the laws in most states, but a significant number of Democrats have signed on, feeling pressure from public opinion. In many states, the GOP has taken a strong stance against illegal immigration, while several state Democratic Party officials declined to discuss the issue."

On the national level the immigration issue seems to be tearing the Repub party apart, but on the state and local level they seem to be more united than we are.

"An Arizona proposal would let police ask people they arrest about their citizenship status and seize them if they cannot produce proper documents."

I assume that will be targeted at Hispanics and other people with accents. I wouldn't be able to prove my citizenship readily, but my guess is they wouldn't require that of me (old white guy.)

"...the Republican Party in Oregon, where a House bill would prohibit the state from hiring undocumented workers, said its core supporters are upset by the U.S. Senate bill. "We don't support amnesty," said spokesman Shawn Cleave, echoing the position of the North Carolina Republican Party, which proudly said it broke with Bush on the issue.

Arizona Rep. Russell Pearce (R) said Bush's support of the guest-worker provision in the Senate bill "made me sick." He called it "a sellout of America" and said: "I'm more than frustrated. I will do everything I can to unelect folks who sell out America."

[treestar]

4. It amazes me people are so worried about illegal immigrants

In the face of organized crime, the drug problem, pollution, the state of education, the lack of health care, etc.

Why are people whose worst offense is getting a job in a geographical area they are not supposed to so much worse?

[toopers]

6. Everyone of the "competing" issues you mentioned . . .

is a problem that illegal immigration contributes to.

[Zhade]

7. I hardly think illegal immigrants contribute to the organized crime in the White House.

NT!

[EFerrari]

8. No. Link:

http://www.ailf.org/ipc/special_report/sr_022107.pdf

[razorman]

5. I see no reason that we can't both deport the illegals

nail the employers who profit from keeping the wages low.