Delaware lawmakers take on immigration
By Summer Harlow
The News Journal

DOVER -- In the final days of the legislative session, Delaware lawmakers passed measures aimed at undocumented immigrants, joining states across the country that have taken up an issue once considered the domain of the federal government.

Congress' failure to overhaul the U.S. immigration system has pressured states, counties and cities to pass their own laws, leading immigrant advocates to fear an increase in racial profiling and discrimination. Anti-illegal immigration groups say local lawmakers have no choice but to do the job the federal government is refusing to do.

Delaware's House last week passed a resolution directing the Delaware Economic Development Office to study the cost and impact of illegal immigration on the state. As a resolution, the measure did not need approval from the Senate or governor.

And in the wee hours Sunday morning, Delaware's Senate approved a bill requiring contractors paid with public funds to certify that all employees are authorized to work in the United States. The House must pass a corresponding bill when the session resumes before it can be sent to the governor's desk.

"The federal government isn't doing anything about" illegal immigration, said Senate Minority Leader Charles Copeland, R-West Farms, who introduced the Senate measure.

Some have argued that local governments have no authority to pass laws dealing with immigration. Cities that have done so, such as Hazleton, Pa., have been stopped by the courts from enforcing laws that would fine businesses and landlords renting to or employing undocumented immigrants.

But Copeland said his bill is different, as it just seeks to verify companies are in compliance with the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

"The bill specifically deals with contractors who want to do business with the state of Delaware, so that's a state issue," he said. "Taxpayers' dollars should be going to companies following the law. ... I think taxpayers of the state of Delaware expect their money to go to law-abiding, tax-paying citizens."

Rich Heffron, senior vice president for government affairs at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, said if Copeland's bill became law, it would not burden businesses.

"We think nobody should be hiring illegal aliens, and the ones who do hire people legally are at a disadvantage," he said.

Every state now has introduced or approved legislation regulating immigration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which has tracked related laws at the state level since 2005.

"We've seen an increase in state activity in the absence of a federal solution, and now that the federal debate has come to a halt, there's no reason to believe states won't remain active," said Dirk Hegen, policy associate for the group.

In 2005, 300 bills were introduced in state legislatures, and 37 were signed into law in 25 states. In 2006, the total number of bills introduced nearly doubled to 570, with at least 90 bills and resolutions enacted in 32 states.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 03007/1002