Thread: No illegal aliens in Missouri

I heard about this in an email alert from Barbara Coe.

The email subject line was, "Fw: Missouri has NO illegal Aliens (THIS IS TRUE)".

I'm not sure if I buy it 100% but I do remember farmers taking consideration in the crops they planted to include labor available for cultivation and harvest and such.


Missouri Ahead of the Game in Dealing with Illegal Immigrants

Editor's Note: The following appeared in our May 13 issue and is written by State Representative Nita Jane Ayres.

Nita Jane Ayres has agreed to write a follow-up editorial which will appear in our print edition on June 24. The follow-up will take a close look at the state's legislation and how it deals with illegal immigrants.

We’re down to one week to go in the legislative session and bills are moving through the process at a remarkable pace. My goal is to keep you updated on all the pieces of legislation that may be of interest to you and your family. In the coming weeks, I hope to do that. However, this week I want to talk about an issue that Missouri has already addressed in a variety of ways – the issue of illegal immigration. I’m sure you’ve seen the headlines about Arizona’s new law aimed at dealing with those who enter our country illegally. It has been called the strictest immigration law in generations. While Missouri hasn’t gone to the same lengths as Arizona, our state has made significant policy changes that effectively deal with illegal immigrants who enter our state. Because of those changes, Missouri is ahead of the game when compared to many other states that are now dealing with this issue.

In 2007, the Missouri General Assembly approved HJR 7 to place on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of Missouri. Voters then went to the polls and approved the measure with nearly 90 percent voting in favor. With that, English became the official language for all governmental proceedings in Missouri. It also means no individual has the right to demand government services in a language other than English. A common language is the cornerstone of a cohesive and united state and country. Ensuring that English is our official language is simply common sense.

Another measure that directly addresses the issue of illegal immigration was passed in 2008. HB 1549 requires our Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of any person arrested, and inform federal authorities if the person is found to be here illegally. It also allows Missouri law enforcement officers to receive training to enforce federal immigration laws. Furthermore, the bill makes it clear that illegal immigrants will not have access to taxpayer benefits such as food stamps and health care through MO HealthNet. With the passage of this legislation, Missouri sent a clear message that illegal immigrants are not welcome in our state, and that they are certainly not welcome to receive public benefits at the cost of Missouri taxpayers.

2009 saw another significant piece of legislation passed dealing with illegal immigration. HB 390 ensures Missouri’s public institutions of higher education do not award financial aid to individuals who are here illegally.

The law also requires all postsecondary institutions of higher education to annually certify to the Missouri Department of Higher Education that they have not knowingly awarded financial aid to students who are unlawfully present in the United States. The bill represents another common sense approach to the issue as it ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize the education of someone who is in our country illegally.

So while Arizona has made national news for its new law, it’s important to remember Missouri has been proactive in addressing this growing problem. The laws we have on the books help ensure the rights and benefits of Missourians are preserved for actual Missouri citizens. It’s also important to remember that this country has always opened its arms to immigrants, which is why our nation is often referred to as the great melting pot. Immigrants from all parts of the world have helped make our country what it is today. However, our doors are not open to those who try to live in our country illegally. I believe Missouri’s laws make that very clear and give our law enforcement officials the authority they need to deal with the problem.

Thanks again for allowing me to represent you in the state capitol. Feel free to contact me with your concerns, suggestions and ideas. My office phone is 573-751-2492. Email address: nitajane.ayres@house.mo.gov Or write to: State Representative Nita Jane Ayres, House Post Office, State Capitol, Room 233-A, Jefferson City, MO 65101.




P.S. If your interested in email alerts from Barbara Coe I think this link will get you there. They can be overwhelming at first, as there are so many, but it is easy to sift through them. She has been part of the foundation in the struggle against the corruption surrounding illegal immigration since before I saw the beginning.

Main Page;

http://www.ccir.net/

Alert sign up page;

http://www.ccir.net/email.html

regretably we do have illegals in missouri but far fewer than most states.If they would clamp down on the employers we could maybe drive the rest out.

Originally Posted by Rebelrouser

regretably we do have illegals in missouri but far fewer than most states.If they would clamp down on the employers we could maybe drive the rest out.

That is what I would like to see. Them and the criminals in the government that have been aiding and abetting them would be so sweet.

The people who hire illegal aliens fly under the wire anyway so until Missouri makes E-verify mandatory "They Will Come" But it's more then anyone else is doing. And that's better than letting illegal aliens drain they're welfare system. I say thanks Missoura!

they should clamp down on all employers in all the state .well you should look in to kmart . & walmart first . & the restaurant. they work in the Kitchen . & the emlpoyers should be fine . I know wilkes barra is bad . with the illegal immigrant . so is NYC you can not under stand them at all this is the USA Not Mexico .

Furthermore, the bill makes it clear that illegal immigrants will not have access to taxpayer benefits such as food stamps and health care through MO HealthNet

They certainly do have access, thru their anchors. Why else would they have so many of them?? They are moneymakers. That's why birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens must cease.

AZ's immigration law is 16 pages long. 8 pages of it are devoted to clamping down on both the illegal employer and the illegal worker, a step towards making both ends of this problem accountable and punished. Missouri might want to add a law that prohibits employment of illegal aliens in their state. Seems a common sense step to close the gaping hole in their law, but I commend Missouri for their landmark legislation. And Missouri isn't a border state like Arizona so their legislative requirements may not be as pressing as Arizona's,with Arizona being the gateway for the majority of illegal aliens into the US who then scatter to the 50 states if they don't decide to camp and nest in Arizona.