Thread: KY: Several bills focus on illegals; immigrants' rights

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/16736427.htm

Posted on Mon, Feb. 19, 2007



Several bills focus on illegals; immigrants' rights rally Wednesday


HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

Whether telling police to enforce federal law, requiring employers to check workers' documents or creating a new type of driving permit, nearly 20 bills related to immigration issues are pending in the 2007 General Assembly.

The myriad bills follow last spring's national debate about immigration reform, which included rallies in cities around the country, including Lexington.

All of which might explain why a coalition of groups is expected Wednesday in Frankfort for an immigrants' and refugees' rights advocacy day -- a first for Kentucky, organizers say.

The focus will be on two bills introduced last week, one that calls for the repeal of a decades-old law, which has never been enforced, that restricts rights of immigrants without naturalization papers to own property.

The second is a bill filed by Sen. Ernesto Scorsone, D-Lexington, calling for the creation of "certificates for driving" that could be issued to individuals who cannot prove citizenship. The documents would not be used for identification purposes, but would allow police and transportation officials to better regulate drivers in Kentucky who are undocumented, according to the bill.

"The reality is there are a lot of undocumented people living in Kentucky, and employers want their employees to legally drive," said Maria Ramirez, a program associate with the ACLU of Kentucky and one of the advocacy day's organizers. "It makes our streets safer. Individuals would have to go through the same tests to know what our driving laws are and it should help with insurance."

What probably won't be emphasized on Wednesday are a number of bills filed with the intent to crack down on undocumented immigrants. Bills that call for stricter enforcement of immigration laws include requiring local police officers to enforce federal immigration laws and requiring state contractors to verify the immigrant status of their employees. Several legislators have also filed bills recognizing human trafficking as a crime.

Rep. Stan Lee, R-Lexington, who annually files bills concerning immigration, said he thinks people are frustrated with the failed attempts in Washington to reform immigration and want state or local leaders to do something to enforce the law.

"I think citizens are beginning to voice their concerns, not just to me, but to representatives all over the state," Lee said. "They're going to their local senator, their local representative and saying, 'Look, this is an issue, a problem the federal government is not addressing. We want you guys to take a look at it.'"

Still, Lee, who is running for attorney general, isn't holding his breath for any of the immigration-related bills to pass this year. He doesn't think his bills or others have much of a chance to even be considered in Democratic-controlled House committees.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, said her committee is loaded with bills in a short legislative session. She said bills that call for enforcement of federal laws need more study.

"I do believe there is a huge question as to whether states can legislate in the field of immigration," she said. Other states that have passed legislation regarding immigration enforcement "are on shaky constitutional ground."

Although Frankfort might not yield immigration reform soon, an advocate in Lexington says he remains optimistic for changes at the federal level.

Freddy Peralta, of the recently renamed Kentucky Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said the next few months will be crucial for legislation to pass for "real reform" that allows a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Beyond that, congressmen and senators will be focused on reelection in 2008, he said.

Formed during last spring's immigration rallies in Washington and later in Lexington, KCIRR promotes immigration reform that is fair to all people, Peralta said. The group is attempting to expand its reach with chapters and members in other Kentucky cities. Frequent ads are heard on Spanish-language radio, but the coalition wants to become an advocate for not only Latino immigrants, but also Asian, African, European and Middle Eastern people, Peralta said.

"Road shows" are planned soon to educate people about immigration laws and their rights as well to increase membership. A "Democracy School" is planned this summer to identify and cultivate new community leaders, he said.

ernesto.scorsone@lrc.ky.gov


Send Sen. Ernesto Scorsone an email....I just did!

It never ceases to amaze me how this is an issue. They are illegal; they have no "rights" beyond basic human rights. Driving is not a right, it is a privilege. That is only one example! How long are we going to be debating over something that shouldn't even be an issue!

Send them all home! And send these "advocacy groups" back with them to fight for reforms in their countries! Then after the dust settles, if we find we need workers in certain segments of the labor market, allow people to come in who have been waiting in line to do it the right way.

The reality is there are a lot of undocumented people living in Kentucky, and employers want their employees to legally drive," said Maria Ramirez, a program associate with the ACLU of Kentucky and one of the advocacy day's organizers. "It makes our streets safer. Individuals would have to go through the same tests to know what our driving laws are and it should help with insurance."

The employers should be put out of business and these illegal alliens deported immediately. Maria Ramirez should be prosecuted for aiding and abetting. This woman needs to lay off the crack. ILLEGAL ALIENS DID NOT, HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT EVER FOLLOW THE LAW. They will NOT buy insurance you twit.

Did this bill ever pass?!

Originally Posted by fedupinwaukegan

Did this bill ever pass?!

This was KY SB 177. It doesn't appear to have gone anywhere in the Senate. Likely died in committee.