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02-06-2012, 05:44 PM #1
Bill sets up illegal immigrant hiring reporting
woi-tv.com
The Associated Press
Updated: Feb 06, 2012 3:35 PM EST
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Anyone could file a complaint with the Iowa attorney general's office alleging a business is employing an illegal immigrant under a measure being discussed in the House.
Members of a subcommittee Monday will discuss the bill, which requires the attorney general, county attorneys and local police to investigate complaints.
Verified complaints would be reported to federal immigration officials, and employers could lose their business licenses.
The bill also requires employers to use a federal electronic worker verification system.
Supporters of the measure say it would level the playing field for businesses by rooting out illegal workers. Opponents say it amounts to racial profiling, could hurt businesses and would be a drain on law enforcement's time.
A total of 38 Republicans and three Democrats in the House are co-sponsoring the bill.
Bill sets up illegal immigrant hiring reporting - ABC5 WOI-DT News, Weather, Sports in Des Moines, IAJoin our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)
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02-07-2012, 07:14 PM #2
Bill sets up illegal immigrant hiring reporting
By ANDREW DUFFELMEYER
Associated Press
DES MOINES - Under a measure being discussed in the Iowa House, anyone could file a complaint with the attorney general's office alleging a business is employing an illegal immigrant.
Members of a subcommittee Monday were scheduled to discuss the bill, which requires the attorney general, county attorneys and local police to investigate complaints. Verified complaints would be reported to federal immigration officials, and employers could lose their business licenses.
The bill's author, Rep. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, said the goal is to create a deterrent for illegal workers, and the measure will ultimately benefit law-abiding employers and employees.
"What it will accomplish is as soon as it becomes known that it's Iowa law, the people that work here illegally won't even apply for jobs," Garrett said.
The bill also requires employers to use a federal electronic worker verification system, a goal of Rep. Gary Worthan, a Storm Lake Republican and chairman of the justice budget committee.
"You have businesses that are taking unfair advantage," said Worthan, who is co-sponsoring the measure. "If they're employing illegal immigrants, they have an advantage over businesses that are doing things correctly."
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 17 states now require employers to use the e-verify system, including neighboring Missouri and Nebraska. Some states only require public employers and contractors to use the system.
The free system was used more than 17 million times in the 2011 fiscal year by more than 300,000 employers, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
But Ben Stone, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said the verification system is flawed, as is the proposed legislation.
"It's really kind of a clumsy attempt to get the officers of the state of Iowa to get involved in enforcing immigration law, which is really the job of the federal government," Stone said.
Adam Mason, state policy director for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, said the bill is reminiscent of controversial immigration laws in Arizona and Alabama.
The group, which works on immigrant rights issues, would prefer policies that offer a pathway to citizenship, Mason said.
He said the bill could lead to racial profiling.
"That's a huge concern for the Latino community who is here legally," Mason said.
Garrett noted the bill doesn't allow for claims based on race, color or national origin, and he doesn't believe the measure would put a strain on law enforcement.
Rep. Mary Wolfe, from Clinton, is one of a handful of Democrats co-sponsoring the legislation. She said several people in her community asked her to examine the situation, though she is unsure if it's the right solution.
"I think it's a good conversation to have," Wolfe said.
Mason said this is a unique instance where his group is likely aligned with industry and agriculture lobbyists in their concerns about the effects the measure may have on employers.
However, John Gilliland with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry said his group is undecided on the measure, and a spokeswoman for the Iowa Farm Bureau didn't return a message.
Garrett believes the measure will gain approval, as a total of 38 Republicans and three Democrats in the House are co-sponsoring it.
Bill sets up illegal immigrant hiring reportingLast edited by Ratbstard; 02-07-2012 at 07:22 PM.
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02-11-2012, 10:21 AM #3
Added to ALIPAC Home Page with amended title ..
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