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House OKs bill making harboring illegal immigrant a misdemeanor
3/30/07

LITTLE ROCK The House approved legislation today that would make it a misdemeanor to knowingly shelter or conceal an illegal immigrant.

By a 63-to-25 vote, the House approved the bill by Representative Jon Woods, a Republican from Springdale. The bill would allow local prosecutors to charge anyone for knowingly concealing, sheltering or transporting an illegal immigrant.

The House had rejected an attempt to send the bill back to the House Judiciary Committee after supporters said it would essentially kill the legislation.

Representative Will Bond, a Democrat from Jacksonville, says the bill would open the door to false charges being filed against landlords without any basis. Bond also says it would shift the federal government's immigration responsibilities to state prosecutors.

The bill now heads to the Senate.