Tuesday, October 10, 2006

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UPDATED: 11:14 AM
Indiana House GOP pledges crackdown on illegal immigrants

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal



INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana House Republicans pledged Tuesday to pass new laws to put a “chilling effect” on the flow of illegal immigrants to the state and ensure they can’t get any public assistance, including Medicaid.

The plan also includes more authority for state police to enforce federal immigration laws, something Congress has allowed. And it would require that all law enforcement notify the federal government when an illegal immigrant has been detained.

The proposals are similar to a bill the House killed last year on a 74-19 vote. More than half of the Republican caucus voted against it following a passionate floor speech opposing the bill by Rep. Mike Murphy, the Marion County Republican chairman.

But yesterday, state Rep. John Smith, R-Kokomo, said that Republicans also voted against the bill because it included substantial penalties against businesses caught hiring illegal workers. The GOP plan released yesterday includes no expansion of penalties against such businesses.

Smith said Republicans believe federal penalties against hiring illegal workers are strong enough. However, Republicans did propose yesterday to increase penalties against people who possess or create false identification documents.

According to the Pew Research Center, there are 55,000 to 85,000 illegal immigrants in Indiana.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has already put in place new rules that require more proof of citizenship to gain benefits. Republicans said yesterday the state should do more.

However, Rep. Eric Turner, R-Marion, said the proposal won’t prevent people from obtaining emergency medical care or child protection services.

Check courier-journal.com for updates.

Reporter Lesley Stedman Weidenbener can be reached at (317) 444-2780.

http://www.courier-journal.co