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House Republicans Take Aim at Illegal Immigrants

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) House Republicans want to crack down on illegal immigration in Indiana. Representative Eric Turner says Republicans will offer legislation intended to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the state.

House Democrats say they're against illegal immigration, too, but that the Republicans' plan won't work because it doesn't include extra penalties for employers who hire the illegals. Some of the proposals are designed to ensure that state agencies comply with federal laws by denying illegal immigrants public benefits. Republicans say a state law would reinforce such federal restrictions.

Another provision would require the Indiana State Police to seek a pilot program with the federal government that would broaden the authority of troopers to investigate immigration violations and detain illegal immigrants. But House Democratic Leader Patrick Bauer says the Republicans are trying to demagogue an issue that President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress have allowed to fester.