NJ bills target illegal immigrants
Posted on Monday, June 15 @ 10:47:47 EDT
Topic: State Laws Immigration illegal legal
|
 June 15, 2009
MELISSA HAYES
phillyBurbs.com
MEDFORD - Two Republican legislators are hoping a package of bills that cracks down on illegal immigrants will gain support in Trenton.
"It's getting to a point where crimes are being committed, deaths are happening, illegal immigrants are taking the jobs of New Jersey citizens. We're getting to a point here where something has to be done," said Assemblyman Scott Rudder, R-8th of Medford. "It needs to be addressed and it needs to be addressed now."
Subjects: New Jersey, Assemblyman, legislators, state, laws, employment, illegal, immigration, aliens
When Rudder and Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego, R-8th of Evesham, ran for office in 2007, they said illegal immigration was a key campaign issue.
The legislators have introduced several bills, including one that would prevent illegal immigrants who commit crimes from being released on bail, but none has gained support from other lawmakers.
Rudder and Addiego hope things will be different for the package they introduced this month. Three of the bills deal with illegal immigrants who drive without a license; the fourth deals with companies that employ illegal immigrants.
"It's really starting to get into the heart of where people have concerns," Rudder said. "We have deep concerns about our safety."
In April, a pickup truck driven by an unlicensed illegal immigrant broadsided the vehicle of a middle schoolteacher on Route 70 in Evesham. Amy Voorhees, 27, of Evesham, was killed in the accident.
"We are determined that this unnecessary tragedy will lead to change to make our roadways safer," Addiego said. "Our bills make that happen. Illegals should not be buying cars and driving without a license and insurance. We are dramatically increasing penalties for anyone who does this and for anyone who allows an unlicensed motorist to drive their vehicle."
The first bill, A4055, penalizes those who employ illegal immigrants and requires employers to use the federal "E-verify" system to check employment eligibility. It calls for a graduated penalty system and wages fines of $20,000 for a first-time offense, $30,000 for a second offense and $40,000 for a third.
Advertisement The bill also calls for a three-year probation period, during which companies that have been caught employing illegal immigrants are subject to monitoring. The bill was referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.
Bill A4056 requires the private seller of a used vehicle to request identification from the buyer. Anyone found selling a vehicle to an illegal immigrant would be subject to a maximum fine of $500 and up to 60 days in jail. The bill was referred to the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.
Bill A4086 goes after employers who knowingly allow unlicensed, illegal immigrants to drive company vehicles. There would be a $10,000 fine for the first offense and a $20,000 fine for subsequent violations.
Addiego and Rudder said they also plan to introduce a bill that would penalize private citizens who allow unlicensed, illegal immigrants to use their vehicles.
The last bill in the package introduced this month, A4057, establishes penalties for motorists who are driving without a valid license.
A first-time offender would be subject to a maximum of 30 days in prison and up to a $500 fine. Subsequent offenses could result in six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
The bill also establishes criminal penalties for an unlicensed driver who commits assault by auto or vehicular homicide. The penalties vary based on the extent of the injuries, but fatal accidents could result in 10- to 20-year prison sentences and up to $200,000 fines. The legislation was referred to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.
Rudder said he is hopeful the bills will gain support.
"It's a federal issue that needs to be handled at that level, but without their action we have to handle it at the state level," he said.
Discuss this article in our Discussion Groups and meet CITIZEN ACTIVISTS!
|
|
| |
| Article Rating | Average Score: 5
Votes: 3
| |
|
Contribute/Join
