Thread: Immigration issue crosses the Indiana border

Immigration issue crosses the Indiana border

Republican state senator Mike Delph said state policy needs overhauled

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Posted on June 3, 2010

by Tim Turner

Indiana State Sen. Mike Delph (R-Carmel) has proposed a sweeping overhaul of Indiana’s immigration policy.

Delph’s original proposal did not call for profiling potential illegal immigrants prior to being arrested, but Delph recently announced he would introduce legislation similar to Arizona’s. Delph’s harshest criticism of Indiana’s existing immigration laws came after some illegal immigrants were arrested on March 15 and face drug charges.

"These arrests highlight the time and money illegal immigration costs Hoosiers," said Delph. "It's a shame - especially when resources are scarce - that hard-working Hoosier taxpayers are footing the bill for people who have no respect for our laws."

Delph said it was not the first time these suspects had tried to take advantage of the weak immigration laws in this country.

"Maj. Lee Goodman of the Carmel Police Department said these men had previous issues with border crossings and on some occasions (those arrested) had used false names," said Delph. "This incident offers further evidence that stronger laws are needed to protect our state."

Local Rep. Ron Herrell (D-Kokomo) said he would not support legislation that provided for profiling, but couldn’t comment on the rest of Delph’s proposals

Last week the U.S. Department of Justice said it would challenge Arizona’s immigration law on constitutionality. It says the law impedes the federal government’s ability to police the border.

Some highlights from the previous legislation Delph introduced include the following:

*Prohibits a governmental body in the state from enacting a law or policy that would restrict the governmental body, including law enforcement, from cooperating with federal officials to provide information about the citizenship status of individuals.

• Allows a person domiciled in Indiana to bring an action to compel the governmental body to comply with the law.

• Increases the penalty for repeated convictions of operating a vehicle having never received a license from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.

• Increases the penalty to a Class D felony if the operation of a motor vehicle results in bodily injury or serious bodily injury.

•Requires the Indiana Department of Corrections to check the citizenship or immigration status of a criminal offender committed to a DOC facility with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

*If the citizenship or immigration status of an offender cannot be verified, the DOC shall assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with information leading to the deportation of the offender.

• Requires the Indiana Department of Labor to use the SAVE program to determine the lawful presence of non-citizens to determine eligibility for unemployment benefits.

• Prohibits a state agency or political subdivision from entering into or renewing a public contract unless: The contract contains a provision requiring the contractor to certify that the contractor does not employ or contract with an unauthorized alien.

•Makes it a Class D Felony to make a document not issued by a government entity that purports to be a government-issued identification.

• Makes the same offense a Class C felony if the document was made with the intent to distribute.

• Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly or intentionally transport or move an alien for the purpose of commercial advantage or private commercial gain, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien is in the country illegally.

*Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly or intentionally conceal, harbor or shield from detection an alien for the purpose of commercial advantage or private commercial gain, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien is in the country illegally.

• Makes it a class D felony for a second unrelated offense or if the offense involved more than five aliens.

• Makes it a Class C felony for a third unrelated offense.

• Creates a new law that requires a sheriff to make a reasonable effort to verify the citizenship or immigration status of a person charged with a felony, or operating a vehicle while intoxicated and is confined for any period in a county jail.

http://oneoldvet.com/

www.kokomoperspective.com

Mike Delph gets it, sees it, and understands it
Ron Herrell is an idiot who doesn't get it or understand it