Thread: Flake optimist on immigration reform

Flake optimist on immigration reform
Luci Scott
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 12, 2007 12:00 AM

U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake told a group of business leaders Wednesday that there's greater than a 50-50 chance that Congress will pass immigration reform that he co-sponsors.

"We have a window of four or five months, and if it doesn't happen now, it won't for a couple of years," Flake said.

The controversial nature of the bill makes it a hot issue as the 2008 election nears.

Flake, R-Ariz., and Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., spoke at an East Valley Statesman's Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler.

The East Valley Partnership and the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance co-hosted the breakfast.

Flake is co-sponsoring House Bill 1645 with U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.

Flake is optimistic about the bill's chances, he said, because Congress is controlled by Democrats, who he said are more receptive to the bill than Republicans, and that President Bush also wants reform.

"The planets are aligned," Flake said.

Employers now can check via the Internet whether a job applicant has a valid Social Security number, "but it won't tell if it's being used 500 times," Flake said.

His bill would allow employers to use other pieces of identification to check if the applicant is here legally, including a passport, a driver's license or a Social Security card that is tamper proof.

"I'm all for holding employers accountable, but they have to have the tools first," Flake said.

Under his legislation, after the first violation employers would be fined $20,000 upon each subsequent offense.



http://www.azcentral.com/community/chan ... 412Z6.html

U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake told a group of business leaders Wednesday that there's greater than a 50-50 chance that Congress will pass immigration reform that he co-sponsors.

DISINFORMATION

Why can't some folks get the picture? Does the last name "Flake" have any bearing? I wouldn't trust this guy as far as I can spit, and I can hit a fly on lightpole at 30 paces.

Maybe he got his chances of not being re-elected confused with immigration reform.