Sen. Mike Delph files legislation to crack down on illegal immigration in Indiana

Right Vision News
January 20, 2011
STATE HOUSE, IN

The State Of Indiana issued the Following press release today:

A hearing date has been set for Sen. Delph's legislation aimed at protecting Hoosier taxpayers by seriously cracking down on illegal immigration in Indiana.

"It's time lawmakers united and said we will no longer allow Indiana to be a sanctuary for people who are in our country illegally," Delph said.

"I strongly encourage Hoosiers to attend the hearing and share their stories and viewpoints on the legislation on Feb. 2."

Senate Bill 590 requires law enforcement who stop, detain or arrest anyone for violating a law or ordinance to ask for proof that the person is here legally if the officer has "reasonable suspicion" to believe otherwise.

The bill also requires all state and local governmental units to use English for all correspondence including websites, documentation and meetings.

"It's time that we put an end to press one for English and two for Spanish in our state," Delph said. "We also must remove the handcuffs from our law enforcement by providing them with the tools and training necessary to identify individuals in our country illegally and then transfer them to federal custody."

Delph said the legislation also requires the Indiana Office of Management and Budget to calculate an estimate of the total cost of illegal immigration on the state of Indiana and make a written request to the U.S. Congress for reimbursement of these costs.

"Currently, there are no hard figures on the true overall cost of illegal immigration is on Hoosier taxpayers," Delph said. "The Indiana Department of Corrections recently estimated they spend as much as $10 million each year and a national organization estimates the total cost to state and local agencies could be as high as $608 million - across Indiana. These numbers are very troubling when lawmakers are trying to stretch our state's tax dollars during this economic downturn. It's vital that we get more concrete figures so Hoosier taxpayers do not continue to pay the tab for the federal government's incompetence on illegal immigration."

SB 590 also prohibits Indiana employers from knowingly employing illegal immigrants, places violators on three-year probation and requires violators to file quarterly reports concerning all new hires to the Indiana Attorney General's Office.

If a second violation occurs, the employer could have their business license suspended for no more than 30 days, receive up to 10 years probation and be required to file quarterly reports. A third violation could result in the permanent loss of the business license in Indiana.

Delph said his legislation provides immunity from the penalties for an employer who verifies the work status of an employee using the E-Verify System, a federal system free to employers who want to confirm citizenship or legal employability.

SB 590 includes several other provisions targeting illegal immigration across Indiana:

* Prohibits any governmental body or legislator in Indiana from enacting any law or policy restricting law enforcement from cooperating with federal officials on illegal immigration;

* Requires local law enforcement to request the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to issue a detainer for any suspects verified to be in the country illegally, which gives local authorities the authorization needed to transfer the person to federal custody;

* Allows local law enforcement to transport an individual verified to be in the country illegally to a federal facility in Indiana or any other point of transfer into federal custody;

* Provides illegal immigrants are not eligible for financial aid, grants or scholarships and are not eligible to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges or universities;

* Requires all state agencies and local government units to use the E-Verify System to check work eligibility status of all newly hired employees;

* Bans any state agencies and local governments from entering into or renewing a public contract unless the contractor and subcontractors verify they do not employ illegal immigrants;

* Disallows state agencies and local governments from awarding a grant of more than $1,000 to a business unless they sign and show verifyable documentation that the business has and is enrolled and participating in the E-Verify program;

* Prohibits any business entity from claiming or receiving a deduction or credit for a statewide tax, property tax exemption, deduction credit or loan from the state unless they sign and show documentation that the business has and is actively enrolled and participating in the E-Verify program;

* Allows all state agencies and/or local governments to terminate a public contract without penalty if the contractor or subcontractor employs illegal immigrants;

* Mandates the Indiana Department of Corrections to verify the status of all offenders committed to a state correctional facility;

* Instructs the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to verify citizenship before determining eligibility for any state unemployment benefits;

* Requires the Indiana Department of Agriculture and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to include on its website a list of agricultural jobs and wage rates for each in which there is a critical need for workers and the request for seasonal workers;

* Requires the Indiana State Police to negotiate an agreement with the federal government, so state police officers can be trained to enforce federal immigration and customs laws;

* Increases severe penalties for someone who knowingly or intentionally transports, conceals, harbors or shields from detection an illegal immigrant for commercial or private financial gain;

* Creates a new felony crime of false identity reporting; and

* Makes it illegal and felony to use individual tax identification numbers or identification issued by consulates for purposes other than provided in federal law.

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