Thread: KS: Four lawmakers sponsor immigration resolution

Four lawmakers sponsor immigration resolution

March 26, 2011


BY TODD FERTIG

Rep. Mario Goico, R-Wichita, has watched the debate over illegal immigration turn negative over the last several months, and he says he would like for it to stop.

Goico will join three other Hispanic members of the House — Rep. Ramon Gonzalez, R- Perry; Rep. Reynaldo Mesa, R-Garden City, and Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-Kansas City — to sponsor a resolution stating that immigration is a federal policy issue.

They say in their resolution that a failure by the federal government to address the issue has left states searching for solutions that have been costly and divisive.

Earlier in the session the House saw debates on the revocation of in-state college tuition for children of illegal immigrants and on Arizona-style registration and verification of immigrant status.

Goico said the anti-immigrant comment by Rep. Virgil Peck, R-Tyro, and the subsequent backlash — including a protest by Latino interest groups Friday — are just part of the story.

Goico draws a timeline to demonstrate how the issue has turned volatile.

He points first to the election of Kris Kobach, the new secretary of state who ran on aggressive immigration policies. Some of those policies were turned into legislation, which were heard in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee in February.

On Feb. 8, Rep. Connie O'Brien, R-Tonganoxie, got caught up in a discussion over the tuition issue when she described a student as having "olive skin."

The comment was criticized by Democrats and opponents of the legislation, but drew no formal comment from Republican leadership.

Goico said debate on the issue devolved from there.

Kobach did not return calls Friday regarding Goico's resolution.

Goico admits that there is a problem with illegal immigration, stressing that "people should be coming to the U.S. to work through the proper process."

"Kansas can be part of the solution on the federal level, but we don't make treaties," Goico said. "We need to follow a rule of law that is legal, sensible and benefits everyone, including the children who need to get an education."

The four legislators point to five issues in their resolution:

1) Immigration is a federal issue and needs to be dealt with on that level.

2) The Kansas Legislature respects the rule of law and supports law enforcement's actions, but police resources should be devoted to criminal activities, not civil violations.

3) The Kansas Legislature should oppose policies that separate families or do not support the well-being of children.

4) Immigrants provide an important labor force to Kansas that should be affirmed and regulated.

5) Immigration has been a key issue in American history and policies should respect the contributions of immigrants.

www.kansascity.com

Rep. Mario Goico, R-Wichita, has watched the debate over illegal immigration turn negative over the last several months, and he says he would like for it to stop.

Goico will join three other Hispanic members of the House — Rep. Ramon Gonzalez, R- Perry; Rep. Reynaldo Mesa, R-Garden City, and Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-Kansas City — to sponsor a resolution stating that immigration is a federal policy issue.

Gee i wonder, just who do these people represent more? the people who elected them or the people who are of their ethnic background

"We need to follow a rule of law that is legal, sensible and benefits everyone, including the children who need to get an education."

Guess what Goico? The LAW is sensible, the LAW is the law, and it does indeed benefit EVERYONE... every one of your LEGAL constituents! LEGAL being the key word here.

Of course we all know that what you meant was that we overlook any and every law that would "upset" your brethren! That we keep your present status quo or hopefully we finally give up and grant those same brethren shamnesty.

I LOVE to tell you this... it ain't gonna happen.

On Feb. 8, Rep. Connie O'Brien, R-Tonganoxie, got caught up in a discussion over the tuition issue when she described a student as having "olive skin."

"Olive skin", oh the horrors! For most people "olive skin" is a compliment.They must have mighty thin skin if olive skin upsets them...LOL!