Senate creates 'illegal re-entry' crime for immigrants

By Mark Slavit and Associated Press Friday, April 22nd 2016

VIDEO HERE: http://krcgtv.com/news/local/senate-...for-immigrants

JEFFERSON CITY — Update: April 22, 2016, 5:12 p.m.

The Missouri Senate has passed legislation to increase penalties for some immigrants who enter the country illegally and commit crimes.
The bill's sponsor said immigrants who commit violent or dangerous crimes in Missouri are the scum of the earth.

The legislation comes as Mexican National Pablo Serrano-Vitorino awaits a preliminary hearing for several murders.

The measure would apply to immigrants who have previously been deported for a violent or dangerous crime and later commit another crime in Missouri or elsewhere. In March, Serrano-Vitorino was the target of a massive manhunt in Montgomery County. Court documents obtained by KRCG show Serrano-Vitorino used an AK-47 rifle to murder Randy Nordman, 49, of New Florence and 4 other men in Kansas City, Kansas. Immigrants like Serrano-Vitorino could serve up to 7 years in prison for illegal re-entry to Missouri under the legislation.

The bill's sponsor Republican Senator Mike Cunningham of Rogersville said, "I don't want these people in Missouri. I want our kids and the citizens of Missouri to feel safe because we have our own issues. We sure don't need to be importing convicted felons."

Cunningham said his Missouri legislation is necessary because federal immigration laws are not working. The bill is on its way to the house. Republican Columbia State Representative Caleb Jones supports the legislation

Jones said, "All of us deserve a place or a society where we can live safe and not be scared of individuals harming us. Any legislation we can do to help protect the citizens of Missouri, we should support."
Missouri Senators voted 26-6 on Thursday to send the bill to the house.

Serrano-Vitorino will face a preliminary hearing on the murder of Randy Nordman before Judge Kelly Christine Broniec in Montgomery County Circuit Court on April 28.
Original Story.

The Missouri Senate has passed legislation to increase penalties for some immigrants who enter the country illegally and commit crimes.
Senators voted 26-6 Thursday to send the bill to the House.

The measure would apply to immigrants who have previously been deported for a violent or dangerous crime and later commit another crime in Missouri or elsewhere.
Those immigrants could be punished for "illegal re-entry" to Missouri under the legislation.

Republican sponsor Sen. Mike Cunningham has said immigrants who commit those crimes are the "scum of the Earth."

The legislation comes as Mexican national Pablo Serrano-Vitorino is awaiting a preliminary hearing. He's accused of killing a man in Missouri and four others in Kansas.

Republican Sen. Bob Dixon says he doesn't believe creating a new crime is necessary.

http://krcgtv.com/news/local/senate-...for-immigrants