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http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=7851380

Bauer again draws Assembly's attention to immigration

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Despite two unsuccessful pushes, Assemblyman Paul Bauer is again putting an item on Tuesday's agenda that addresses the rights of illegal immigrants in Alaska.

The East Anchorage representative is proposing a resolution supporting two bills before the state Legislature that require applicants to show proof of residency before they can get a driver's license.
Bauer says he expects to get more support this time.
"It's a major difference because it goes to the state level that requires some type of proof, documented proof of legal residency in the state of Alaska to get a license," he said. "It can be used as a tool for police when they're dong their driver stops."Bauer's proposed resolution would support a state Senate bill proposed by Sen. Charlie Huggins and House bill by Rep. Bob Lynn.
Lynn, who is introducing the bill for a second time, calls it a common sense issue.
"In other words, I don't want to have Osama bin Laden and his buddies being able to get an Alaska driver's license," said Lynn, R-Anchorage.
Assembly member Sheila Selkregg says it's not that simple.
"These kinds of laws begin to single out residents that are of color," said the East Anchorage representative. "The other thing that's become really apparent is that Alaska, in particular Anchorage, doesn't have an illegal immigrant problem." Selkregg did not support Bauer's past attempts to crack down on illegal immigration and she says she's not likely to support this resolution either.
"When I look at this I'm suspicious that it's just another way to single out people of color," Selkregg said.
Assembly member Chris Birch, who was also against Bauer's first two proposals, says he's more likely to support this one.

"I think the idea of having some sort of a check before issuing an identification card seems reasonable to me," said the South Anchorage representative.
The resolution goes before the Assembly on Tuesday. At state level, Lynn says his bill is waiting to go before the House Finance Committee.

The resolution is more of a symbolic effort to show the Assembly supports tougher immigration laws. It doesn't do anything if the Legislature doesn't pass the bills.
Contact Angela Blanchard at ablanchard@ktuu.com