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Lawmakers set to tackle illegal immigration
1/21/07

HELENA — Frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of effort by the federal government, some state lawmakers are proposing tough new state laws this session to target illegal immigrants and businesses that hire them.

Leading the fight is Sen. Jim Shockley, R-Victor, who has four bills this session dealing with illegal immigration. He ac-knowledged crafting bills to fight unlawful immigration at a state level is difficult. But he believes it’s necessary, arguing that the federal government, constitutionally tasked with all immigration matters, has no real interest in enforcing existing laws.

“The Congress passes a law, it looks good, but they don’t want it enforced and the executive branch doesn’t want it en-forced either,” Shockley said.

But the biggest offenders, according to Shockley, are the business owners who hire illegal immigrants.