Archbishop testifies against Kansas Illegal Immigration Relief legislation
NICK SLOAN

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has added his voice in the already emotional debate over legislation cracking down on illegal immigration.

Naumann testified in Topeka Tuesday against Kansas Senate Bill 458 - entitled the Kansas Illegal Immigration Relief Act - legislation aimed at toughening state regulations on illegal immigration.

Introduced in early January by State Sen. Peggy Palmer of Augusta, Kan., the bill would focus on five points of enforcement, including the prohibition of employing of illegal immigrants in both the public and private sector; employers would be mandated to use the E-Verify System when hiring new employees; employment identity fraud would be considered a crime; termination of all public assistance benefits, such as in-state tuition, to those not lawfully present in the United States; and facilitating both local and state police to assist the federal government upholding laws on immigration.

In his testimony, Naumann said controlling the border was important, but the resources required would take away from other areas of security matters.

“There is universal agreement that we should deport documented or undocumented immigrants who engage in drug trafficking, gang violence or other illegal activities,â€