Thread: LA:Immigration Legislation Stalls in Senate

by The Associated Press
Tuesday June 03, 2008, 2:24 PM

BATON ROUGE -- House-passed legislation that would make it illegal to knowingly transport illegal immigrants within Louisiana stalled in a Senate committee today amid debate over enforcement and whether it could threaten humanitarian and religious groups.

Trying to overcome opposition, Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, agreed to an amendment making it a crime to transport an illegal immigrant if one knows the person is illegal and acts in "reckless disregard" of that fact.

The amendment was one of several language changes designed to protect someone who merely gives someone a ride to a job or a medical appointment, not knowing the person's legal status, or to humanitarians who provide aid for immigrants without regard to their legal status.

But members of the Senate Judiciary B Committee questioned whether the bill would achieve Geymann's stated aim: Arresting and prosecuting people who transport, and take advantage of, job-seeking immigrants who are in the country illegally.

Committee Chairman Danny Martiny, R-Kenner, said the bill could discourage employers from trying to find out an immigrant's legal status.

"What employer in his right mind is ever going to ask that question?" Martiny asked Geymann.

Geymann said he believes the bill would be an effective tool for state prosecutors and law enforcement agencies investigating employers who hire illegal immigrants and the people who transport them. But with committee members expressing numerous doubts, he agreed to put off a vote on the transport bill and two related measures until next week.

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008 ... talls.html

This representative needs to read the article on Prince William Sound and how they are implementing their ordinances.

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-118062.html

Maybe we can find his email or office fax and send it to him

Here is his legislative aides contact information. I'm going to fax this to them. If any of you have other articles or information for them please use it.


LEGISLATIVE AIDE
Cynthia Haman

(337)491-2315
(337)855-8285 (Fax)