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Joined: May 22, 2006 Posts: 28611 Location: Mexifornia
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject: Groups push to crack down on immigration
Groups push to crack down on immigration
DAVID DEMILLE
Nov 20, 2007
ST. GEORGE - Several Utah groups are pushing ahead with efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, both statewide and at the local level.
Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, has proposed an illegal immigration bill that would prevent illegal aliens from getting driver's licen-ses, getting in-state tuition, deny them public services and benefits and give police more room to enforce immigration laws.
The bill mirrors an Oklahoma law, considered the most stringent in the nation, which has reportedly caused illegal immigrants to leave the state voluntarily, Hickman said.
Hickman said he was encouraged by discussions with Ok-lahoma state officials, with whom he has been working for three months.
"They haven't had a long track record with it, but they're very pleased with how the bill has been received," Hickman said.
The bill is not yet in final form, but Hickman said he was confident the main points of the law would pass.
"I feel very confident that we'll be able to push it through, at least in the Senate, and then we'll see what happens in the House," he said.
The Central Committee of the Washington County Republican Party passed a resolution last week to support Hickman's efforts.
Dean Cox, chairman of the Washington County Republican Party, said the bill seeks to step in where the federal government has been unwilling.
"I think it definitely sends a message that states are frustrated," he said.
Opponents say the bill could lead to stereotyping and discrimination against Hispanics. Under the bill, police would be able to work with the Department of Homeland Security to identify illegal immigrants.
Manny Aguilar, St. George, said illegal immigration reform is needed, but at the federal level.
"You can't start making policemen into immigration officers," he said. "The problem with that is that you start getting profiling. I don't want the cops pulling me over because they think I'm an illegal alien."
Aguilar also said the bill doesn't address inevitable complications.
Part of the Oklahoma bill makes it illegal to transport illegal aliens. Under the bill, Aguilar said, he could be in trouble for giving a friend a ride to the store, or even for taking someone to the hospital.
"If you're going to do illegal immigration, make sure your interpretation is right," Aguilar said.
Some other residents are proposing action on a more localized level, including a group in Hurricane that would like to bring the subject to a public forum.
During a city council meeting Oct. 16, members of the Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration suggested the city open a dialog on the issue beginning with a public meeting.
Douglas Elfving, Hurricane, said the public should be educated on the issue and strides could be made with a simple language addition to city ordinances. He said the idea wouldn't be to ship out all of the illegal immigrants, but encourage local businesses to follow the law.
"All I'm asking for is that we have anyone doing business in the city certify that you're hiring people who are eligible to work in the U.S.," Elfving said.
James Jorquez, Hurricane, said he worked in mental health corrections in Phoenix, Ariz. and has seen firsthand some of the problems that illegal immigration can bring, such as crime, drugs and gangs. He said he wants to include some of the smaller surrounding towns, like Toquerville and LaVerkin, into the dialog, because they have fewer resources and are more vulnerable to an influx of illegal immigrants.
"That's where they go, is where the weaknesses are," Jorquez said.
Jorquez said he has seen signs of concern in Hurricane that lead him to believe the problem is becoming more prevalent. He said he doesn't like to jump to conclusions, but his experience tells him there is a problem.
"I'm not saying I profile, but knowing the culture, if it walks like a duck, and it talks like a duck, it's a duck," Jorquez said.
Claudia Eriksen, St. George, said illegal immigration is a complicated issue, and the increased attention could escalate into overt discrimination.
"I think people are getting into a frenzy here," Eriksen said. "There are a lot of issues within the issue, and I'm afraid that it's becoming racist."
"It's the spirit of the thing," she added. "We need communication that isn't based on fear."
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