HARRISBURG, Pa. -

A state panel on illegal immigration met in Harrisburg Tuesday.

The state panel was looking at around a dozen bills that would sanction employers for hiring illegal immigrants, and require residents to prove citizenship.

John Stahl, head of the Tea Party Immigration Coalition in Berks County attend the hearing. Stahl said illegal immigrants take money out of the local economy by sending their earnings back to their countries of origin, instead of keeping the money in the United States.

"We could cut taxes if we didn't have illegal here," said Stahl.

Berks County Sheriff, Eric Weaknecht also attended the hearing. He said that U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement would not give his department complete clearance to assist in arresting illegal immigrants.

"The real problem I have is that we have a law. People are breaking it. And we are basically handcuffed in doing our job," said Weaknecht.

Michael Moressi, Beaver Meadows police chief, showed up to the hearing with 25 false IDs. He explained that during routine stops he has discovered many undocumented immigrants with welfare cards.

"I did ask them [public welfare officials] could I confiscate the Access cards off the individuals. The representative from the welfare office said, 'No. You must give them back the cards, copy down the prudent information and then forward it to their office,'" said Chief Moressi.

Protesters, however, claimed that the hearings were misguided, like Kay Hollabaugh who relies on immigrant workers to operate her business, Hollabaugh Bros. Fruit Farm and Market in Biglerville.

Hollabaugh pleaded with the panel, "Don't take my work force away. After almost 60 years, please don't risk my losing my farm."

Pamela Linares' family hired an attorney to properly go through the immigration procedure, only to fall victim to fraud. She said the bills under consideration would provoke racial profiling.

"It would hurt everyone walking around in Pennsylvania that looks ethnic. If they would have the misfortune of not carrying their documentation, and looking ethnic, they would be targeted," said Linares.

The chairman of the panel is Western Pennsylvania Republican Daryl Metcalf who has been an outspoken opponent of illegal immigration.

The hearings are scheduled to continue tomorrow.

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