Lawmakers to Discuss Immigration

Posted: Feb 14, 2008 06:30 PM PST

Boise, Idaho -- Immigration is a hot subject that isn't going away any time soon.

Now the Idaho Senate Affairs Committee will debate the issue.

The committee will consider sending Congress a message that the federal government should uphold its constitutional responsibilities on illegal immigrants.

While the sponsor says it will secure borders, a Latino leader says it's not a solution. Meridian Sen. Shirley McKague is the sponsor of the memorial they want to send to the president and congress.

"This merely asks them to abide by the oath of office that we all have taken and protect us from the invasion of illegal aliens," said McKague.

The formal message would include the request to secure the borders, end economic incentives to illegal immigration, to name a few.

McKague is amending the bill to drop birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens because it's unconstitutional.

"It needs to be addressed and not amnesty, but it's hurting our economy and our healthcare cost. It's just a drain and it's illegal," said McKague.

A Washington, D.C., based immigrant rights organization, The National Farm Worker Justice says undocumented workers don't receive a free ride with public services.

And lawmakers should be finding solutions to illegal immigration because the problem stretches beyond Idaho, saying it's a national issue.

"Waiting 14 to15 years, waiting in the back of the line to come into this country, doesn't work," said National Chairman of Farm Worker Justice Humberto Fuentes.

"We're not saying open the borders, we're saying we need to find a solution, a workable solution," said Fuentes.

Like avoiding a workforce shortage for farmers and other U.S. employers.


"There's still people in the country legally that will work, they're looking for work," said McKague.

But as some states, like Arizona, have discovered, employers are losing immigrant workers at a rapid pace.

"There is a very strong coalition of farmers in this country with groups and unions trying to find a solution," said Fuentes.

The Senate Affairs Committee is expected to hear the bill within the next couple of weeks.

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