Cut targeting illegal immigrants rejected in RI

Updated: June 18, 2008 07:31 PM CDT




PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island's debate over illegal immigration reignited tonight as lawmakers argued over a $6.9 billion dollar budget proposal.

Representative Peter Palumbo introduced a bill banning the state government from providing prenatal care to about 445 women suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. He says people who break immigration law should not get state support.

Officials at the Department of Human Services say the program costs about $400,000 per month, or less than 1 percent of the state's Medicaid budget. Representative Nicholas Mattiello has supported other bills targeting illegal immigrants.

But he urged lawmakers to reject Palumbo's latest proposal because he says babies need health care. Several other bills cracking down on illegal immigrants appear stalled in the Statehouse.




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