Thread: Illegal-immigrant bills draw critics

Illegal-immigrant bills draw critics

Advocates speak out during hearing

By Laura Hipp
lhipp@clarionledger.com



Rick Guy/The Clarion-Ledger

Members of the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Organization disturb a Mississippi House discussion on proposed legislation dealing with illegal immigration at the Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday.

A Mississippi House hearing on limiting access to schools and jobs for illegal immigrants ended abruptly in a shouting match Wednesday as worker advocates demanded to speak.

Rep. Mike Lott, R-Petal, proposed several bills aimed at stopping illegal immigration into Mississippi.

"If you come to this country (illegally), Mississippi is not where you want to be," Lott said before the hearing.

One advocate, Christal Luna-Guerra of Sumrall, said some people want undocumented workers to clean houses and work in fast-food stores but don't want them to stay. "When we don't need them anymore, sweep them under the rug," Luna-Guerra said.

Roughly a dozen bills are pending in the House to restrict illegal immigrants' use of everything from Medicaid to universities to driver's licenses.



Rick Guy/The Clarion-Ledger

Concerned citizens and members of the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Organization listen as Rep. Mike Lott, R-Petal, leads a hearing in the Legislature.



Other bills

In other business at the Mississippi House:


House Bill 1479, approved 120-0, would revert tag costs on motorcycles and trailers back to 2005 levels.
The Mississippi Tax Commission reassessed values of motorcycles and trailers causing some tags to double or triple in cost.

The measure heads to the Senate, which has its own version pending.


House Bill 123, approved 83-37, would prohibit smoking in government buildings, though areas for lighting up can be designated.

Many government buildings currently prohibit smoking.




Businesses that hire undocumented workers could face license suspension. Birth certificates could be required to enroll in kindergarten or college to verify legal status.

Companies with state contracts could not hire illegal immigrants.

The proposals from Republicans and Democrats arrive as State Auditor Phil Bryant continues his review of the impact that illegal immigrants have on Mississippi's education and social service system.

Officials say there are thousands of illegal immigrants in Mississippi but an exact number is not known.

Lott said his constituents complain about too many job positions filled by undocumented workers.

"If you don't have respect to come through the process, then what else might you do when you get here?" Lott said.

He said "anchor babies," the American-born children of illegal immigrants, are eligible for state social services from Medicaid and the Department of Human Services. One bill would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving Medicaid benefits.

"What will it cost Mississippi taxpayers?" Lott asked.

Patricia Rice, an immigration attorney in Jackson, said the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees that a child born in the United States is considered a citizen.

"They're talking about trying to overturn the Constitution," Rice said after the meeting.

At the hour-long hearing, Susan Tully, national field director for the Washington, D.C.-based Federation for American Immigration Reform, listed other states implementing laws to restrict illegal immigrants' daily lives.

Immigrant advocates interrupted yelling, "I have a question," "It's very racist," and "We are taxpayers."

Security guards tried to calm the small group, but the yelling continued. Lott eventually ended the meeting and representatives left.

Luna-Guerra took issue with Lott's phrase "anchor babies."

Her late husband was from Mexico, and their daughter, Tina, is 28.

"I resent having my child being referred to as an anchor baby," Luna-Guerra said.

Lott later said he planned to allow the audience a few minutes to speak after Tully finished speaking.

After the meeting, Tully said the pressure must be placed on businesses, which hire illegal workers at low wages.

That, in turn, makes it more difficult for Americans to find jobs, she said. "This is all about exploiting cheap labor," Tully said. "It's all about the big companies making lots of profits."

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It seems to be that we have a weak voice when it comes to immigration reform. How are we in this position ? Very simple. Big business, paid legislation, corrupt officials, and church interests are basically waging war on middle class americans. Why? Because we have gotten educated enough were we have come to demand the good life. The good life costs money to maintain. It means reasonable wages, healthcare, appropiate time off for family activities, deserved job wage increases, good worksite facilities, etc. etc. All these have fueled big business to resort to illegal employees. That's the way they can keep costs down and expand to take an edge in the competition. However, all businesses are starting to take this shameful practice at the expense of the middle class. We made big business exists not the other way around. This might mean that we have to boycott some of these companies somewhere down the line. Necessary to preserve the american way of life. We are the underdogs given the above reasons. We need to act now if we are even gonna be granted a place in Washington. We all know the facts by now. Now we need action. We need to let big business as well as corrupt politicians know that we have the power to dictate our destiny. This is our country and they are nothing more than elected officials voted through us the people. We can replace them as we see fit. Maybe by takingthis issue to the next level, they will start taking us, the american people, a little more seriously and start respecting our wishes. Please call your congressman or Rep. and let them know that the vast majority of America wants immigration reform. Tell them that we are willing to put up a fight if we have to defend our traditional ways of life.