Illegal Immigration Battle Heats Up In Annapolis
Reported by: Christian Schaffer
Last Update: 1/28 10:53 pm

A Maryland state delegate who is a long-time opponent of illegal immigration is plotting a new line of attack. Delegate Pat McDonough says he believes illegal immigrants would not come to Maryland if it were more difficult for them to live here.

Del. McDonough says Govenor Martin O'Malley and state legislators are violating federal immigration laws. "If you're giving illegal aliens drivers licenses, you're violating the federal immigration act," he said. "It states you can not aid or abet illegal aliens." A bill the delegate plans to propose this week would give Maryland citizens the right to use the courts to remove state officials, including the Governor, from office for what he calls their support of illegal immigration.

"It is designed to put politicians like the Governor on notice that if you violate the federal immigration act, ordinary citizens will now have the authority to take action against you," he said.
Delegate Victor Ramirez of Prince George's County says Delegate McDonough's views don't hold much weight in the General Assembly. "You know I think he speaks to a small minority of folks that think in this particular way, and for the most part are misinformed about the issue," Del. Ramirez said.

But Del. McDonough believes his plan is revolutionary -- and sure to be copied by other states trying to crack down on illegal immigration. "We are going to the person who is creating the problem, which would be the Governor and the General Assembly," he said.

Del. McDonough also plans to re-introduce bills that would make English the official language of Maryland, and that would ban companies from employing illegal aliens. In previous years, those measures have not found much support in the General Assembly.

He says immigrants -- some with the proper documents, some without -- come to Maryland because it's home to good schools and good jobs. He says it's up to the federal government to reform its immigration laws. "I don't advocate for illegal immigrations, but the reality is we have to treat people like human beings and not like anything less," he said.
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