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  1. #1
    Senior Member zeezil's Avatar
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    Missouri Senate passes wide-ranging immigration bill

    Missouri Senate passes wide-ranging immigration bill
    Marshall Griffin, KWMU

    JEFFERSON CITY, MO (2008-05-15) The Missouri Senate has passed a wide-ranging illegal immigration bill.

    It would bar so-called "sanctuary cities," authorize state troopers to be trained to enforce federal immigration laws, and require driver's license tests be given in English.

    But it also contains an amendment that leaders in the State House don't like.

    That amendment would fine employers who misclassify undocumented workers as "contractors" up to $50,000.

    It was sponsored by State Senator Timothy Green (D, St. Louis).

    "These good contractors (are) competing against the contractors that just hire people and pay cash...so what we're trying to do is in a competitive market, make sure the employers that are abiding by the law do not have an un-level playing field with the ones that do not," Green said.

    The sponsor of the House version of the immigration bill, Bob Onder (R, Lake St. Louis), doesn't object to the intent, but says some of the details in the amendment are unnecessary.

    "Just as an example, Senator Green's amendment is very long, and one of the things it has is a special new fund that gets created, and we don't really see that as necessary...but we're just going to have to go through it line by line," Onder said.

    House and Senate leaders have until 6:PM Friday to pass a final version of the immigration bill.

    If they don't, Governor Matt Blunt has promised to call a special session.

    Passage of the bill by a Senate committee and by the full body had been delayed, because Senator Jack Goodman (R, Mt. Vernon) blocked its passage until the House sent over another bill on a separate topic.

    That bill would do away with a controversial law that allows landowners to declare themselves as self-governing villages, exempt from local zoning rules.

    That bill arrived in the Senate today, after which Goodman allowed the illegal immigration bill to move forward.
    http://publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news ... ectionID=1
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  2. #2
    Senior Member cvangel's Avatar
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    Posted on Fri, May. 16, 2008 01:29 PMreprint or license print email Digg it del.icio.us AIM Immigration bill passes legislature, heads to governor
    By JASON NOBLE
    The Kansas City Star
    Following a House vote this morning, the Missouri Senate gave final approval to an omnibus illegal immigration bill.

    The measure -- one of the top priorities of the year -- now goes on to the governor.

    In the final votes, the bill won easily in both chambers -- 136-12 in the House and 27-7 in the Senate. Those wide margings, however, belie months of debate, compromise and political wrangling.

    Republicans have mostly lined up behind the issue, although at various points throughout the process business groups and some lawmakers raised concerns about restrictions on employers.

    Democrats, unions, many non-profit charity groups and others opposed the legislation, arguing it did little to address an issue better left to the federal government and expressing concern it could promote racial profiling and other ills.

    The portion of the bill receiving the most scrutiny from both sides concerned restrictions and penalties on businesses that employ illegal immigrants.

    The bill requires employers doing business with the state or receiving tax credits to use E-Verify, the federal employee-verification system. It encourages other businesses to use the program as well by offering it as a defense if they are found to employ illegal workers.

    Businesses found to knowingly hire illegal immigrants lose their licenses for 14 days on the first offense, one year on the second offense and permanently on subsequent offenses. Employers awarded state contracts or tax incentives that violate the law also are barred from state contracts and can have some of the funds due them withheld.

    A major sticking point in the business legislation was language requiring employers to file certain federal tax forms for independent contractors.

    Businesses hiring illegal immigrants often classify them as independent contractors to avoid payroll taxes and other charges associated with employment.

    Under the legislation, employers found to intentionally ignore the forms and misclassify workers could be fined up to $50,000.

    Many provisions within the independent contactor language – including one allowing the attorney general to halt work on jobs believed to be using misclassified workers – were cut in negotiations between the chambers to ensure the bill’s success in the House.

    The bill also includes new language on:

    *Public benefits. Illegal immigrants would be prohibited from receiving benefits like welfare and subsidized housing, and all applicants would have to prove legal residency. Those without proof could receive benefits for 90 days, during which time they would have to prove their legal status.

    State agencies administering benefits would have to report illegal immigrants to federal authorities.

    *Sanctuary cities. The state would cut off funding to cities that adopt policies granting asylum to illegal immigrants or preventing officials from reporting illegals to federal authorities.

    *Driver’s licenses. The bill creates new penalties for assisting others in fraudulently obtaining a driver’s license. It also requires commercial driver’s license tests be given in English without a translator.

    *Jail. Police must verify the residency status of every person arrested within 48 hours. Prisoners found to be in the country illegally must be reported to federal immigration authorities and cannot be released on bail.

    *Immigration enforcement training. At least some state highway patrol officers must receive training and be deputized as federal immigration authorities.

    http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking ... 23097.html

  3. #3
    Senior Member SOSADFORUS's Avatar
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    This is really great news!!!
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  4. #4
    Senior Member Populist's Avatar
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    Mo. lawmakers approve crackdown on illegal immigrants
    Chris Blank • The Associated Press • May 16, 2008

    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers gave final approval Friday to a bill that adds new restrictions and requirements for illegal immigrants, the cities in which they live and the businesses that employ them.

    The bill would require people to prove they are U.S. citizens or are legally in the country when applying for food stamps, housing and other public benefits; penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants; order the Missouri State Highway Patrol to seek special federal immigration training; and bar Missouri cities from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

    The measure also allows fines of up to $50,000 for some employers who misclassify their workers as "contractors" instead of "employees." It would apply to businesses with at least five employees performing public works. When workers are contractors, employers don't have to pay withholding taxes, provide other benefits or take responsibility if the worker is an illegal immigrant.

    The House approved the measure 136-12 on Friday; the Senate followed suit with a 27-7 vote, sending it to Gov. Matt Blunt.

    The legislation was a priority for Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, who already had used his executive powers to enact several policies targeting illegal immigrants. The Highway Patrol, for example, has identified 250 illegal immigrants since late last summer while acting under Blunt's directive to check the immigration status of everyone it arrests.

    Earlier this week, Blunt warned lawmakers he would call them back for a special session if immigration legislation did not pass by Friday's mandatory 6 p.m. adjournment.

    The Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center estimates from U.S. census data that 35,000 to 65,000 illegal immigrants live in Missouri - roughly the equivalent of the population of Cape Girardeau or St. Charles. But Missouri is projected to have less than 1 percent of the 12 million people estimated to be in the United States illegally.

    House and Senate bill sponsors said Missourians have been demanding that state lawmakers do something about illegal immigration because the federal government has not. House Immigration Chairman Jerry Nolte said the bill is a reasonable, comprehensive approach.

    "The people of Missouri have been speaking with a very clear and unmistakable voice that they want us to do something about illegal immigration," said Nolte, R-Gladstone. He said voters are asking, "what part of illegal is not understood?"

    Only Democrats - all living in and around Kansas City and St. Louis - voted against the bill. But the measure split Democrats as some objected to the legislation for cracking down too hard while others called for more, particularly directed at employers who hire illegal immigrants.

    Rep. Ed Wildberger used several analogies to describe his frustration with the bill, because he said employers should face jail time if they hire illegal immigrants. At one point, he likened it to a "bum" wearing a fancy suit, who while looking good "when you take off the suit, you still have a bum."

    Under the immigration bill, public employers - including state and local governments - would need to use a federal database that checks immigration status. Businesses that have a government contract worth more than $5,000 or that receive state loans or tax breaks also would need to use E-Verify.

    Private businesses wouldn't need to, but if an employer does, it would give that business a defense against allegations of knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant. Businesses would lose their licenses if they're caught knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant.

    Employers who don't use E-Verify would have to start using it if they are found unknowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

    Arizona already requires employers to use E-Verify, and several other states are considering legislation to do so. But E-Verify has strict rules for when employers can check the work eligibility status of newly hired employees.

    The system can't be used to screen job applicants or check existing employees. Another concern raised by critics is that misspelled names and last names entered as middle names have led to mistakes in determining whether a worker can be hired.

    Sen. Joan Bray, a bill critic, said a provision that requires commercial driver's license tests to be administered in English without the help of translations wouldn't affect only illegal immigrants.

    Bray, D-St. Louis, said there are legal immigrants in Missouri who drive trucks but do not read English well enough to pass the test, and she warned the bill would make it difficult for them to earn a living.

    http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 9/80516030
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  5. #5
    Administrator Jean's Avatar
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    bttt
    Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at https://eepurl.com/cktGTn

  6. #6
    Senior Member FedUpinFarmersBranch's Avatar
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    Missouri lawmakers approve anti-illegal immigrant bill
    The Associated PRess
    Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.17.2008
    advertisementJEFFERSON CITY, Mo — Missouri lawmakers gave final approval Friday to a bill that adds new restrictions and requirements for illegal immigrants, the cities in which they live and the businesses that employ them.
    The bill would require people to prove they are U.S. citizens or are legally in the country when applying for food stamps, housing and other public benefits; penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants; order the Missouri State Highway Patrol to seek special federal immigration training; and bar Missouri cities from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
    The measure also allows fines of up to $50,000 for some employers who misclassify their workers as "contractors" instead of "employees." It would apply to businesses with at least five employees performing public works. When workers are contractors, employers don't have to pay withholding taxes, provide other benefits or take responsibility if the worker is an illegal immigrant.
    The House approved the measure 136-12 on Friday; the Senate followed suit with a 27-7 vote, sending it to Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, who has made passing the legislation a priority.
    He said Friday that lawmakers had passed "an extraordinarily strong bill."
    Blunt has used his executive powers to enact several policies targeting illegal immigrants. The Highway Patrol, for example, has identified 250 illegal immigrants since late last summer while acting under Blunt's directive to check the immigration status of everyone it arrests.
    The Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center estimates from U.S. census data that 35,000 to 65,000 illegal immigrants live in Missouri — roughly the equivalent of the population of Cape Girardeau or St. Charles. But Missouri is projected to have less than 1 percent of the 12 million people estimated to be in the United States illegally.



    http://www.azstarnet.com/news/239424
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  7. #7
    Senior Member zeezil's Avatar
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    Lawmakers OK Crackdown On Illegal Immigrants
    Bill Requires People To Prove They Are Citizens

    POSTED: 2:16 pm CDT May 16, 2008
    UPDATED: 2:20 pm CDT May 16, 2008

    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers gave final approval Friday to a bill that adds new restrictions and requirements for illegal immigrants, the cities in which they live and the businesses that employ them.

    The bill would require people to prove they are U.S. citizens or are legally in the country when applying for food stamps, housing and other public benefits; penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants; order the Missouri State Highway Patrol to seek special federal immigration training; and bar Missouri cities from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

    The measure also allows fines of up to $50,000 for some employers who misclassify their workers as "contractors" instead of "employees." It would apply to businesses with at least five employees performing public works. When workers are contractors, employers don't have to pay withholding taxes, provide other benefits or take responsibility if the worker is an illegal immigrant.

    The House approved the measure 136-12 on Friday; the Senate followed suit with a 27-7 vote, sending it to Gov. Matt Blunt.

    The legislation was a priority for Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, who already had used his executive powers to enact several policies targeting illegal immigrants. The Highway Patrol, for example, has identified 250 illegal immigrants since late last summer while acting under Blunt's directive to check the immigration status of everyone it arrests.

    Earlier this week, Blunt warned lawmakers he would call them back for a special session if immigration legislation did not pass by Friday's mandatory 6 p.m. adjournment.

    The Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center estimates from U.S. census data that 35,000 to 65,000 illegal immigrants live in Missouri -- roughly the equivalent of the population of Cape Girardeau or St. Charles. But Missouri is projected to have less than 1 percent of the 12 million people estimated to be in the United States illegally.

    House and Senate bill sponsors said Missourians have been demanding that state lawmakers do something about illegal immigration because the federal government has not. House Immigration Chairman Jerry Nolte said the bill is a reasonable, comprehensive approach.

    "The people of Missouri have been speaking with a very clear and unmistakable voice that they want us to do something about illegal immigration," said Nolte, R-Gladstone. He said voters are asking, "what part of illegal is not understood?"

    Only Democrats -- all living in and around Kansas City and St. Louis -- voted against the bill. But the measure split Democrats as some objected to the legislation for cracking down too hard while others called for more, particularly directed at employers who hire illegal immigrants.

    Rep. Ed Wildberger used several analogies to describe his frustration with the bill, because he said employers should face jail time if they hire illegal immigrants. At one point, he likened it to a "bum" wearing a fancy suit, who while looking good "when you take off the suit, you still have a bum."

    Under the immigration bill, public employers -- including state and local governments -- would need to use a federal database that checks immigration status. Businesses that have a government contract worth more than $5,000 or that receive state loans or tax breaks also would need to use E-Verify.

    Private businesses wouldn't need to, but if an employer does, it would give that business a defense against allegations of knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant. Businesses would lose their licenses if they're caught knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant.

    Employers who don't use E-Verify would have to start using it if they are found unknowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

    Arizona already requires employers to use E-Verify, and several other states are considering legislation to do so. But E-Verify has strict rules for when employers can check the work eligibility status of newly hired employees.

    The system can't be used to screen job applicants or check existing employees. Another concern raised by critics is that misspelled names and last names entered as middle names have led to mistakes in determining whether a worker can be hired.

    Sen. Joan Bray, a bill critic, said a provision that requires commercial driver's license tests to be administered in English without the help of translations wouldn't affect only illegal immigrants.

    Bray, D-St. Louis, said there are legal immigrants in Missouri who drive trucks but do not read English well enough to pass the test, and she warned the bill would make it difficult for them to earn a living.
    http://www.kmbc.com:80/politics/16298942/detail.html
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  8. #8
    Senior Member jp_48504's Avatar
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    Related to this

    http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-687222.html#687222

    In passing this legislation, they may have take authority away form the county sherrif. A dnagerous move if you ask me. Rep Guest had an even better plan than what was passed and his would have been more eefective.


    Some of his provisions were that of charging the Feds for the illegals in the state, make it a felony to be in the state illegally, allow MO to deport illegals, have a cop of of sorts to allow surrounding states to enter into agreements to deport illegals and share the expense.
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