Thread: MN: Democrats block efforts to curb illegal immigration

Fran Bradley: Democrats block efforts to curb illegal immigration
7/31/2008 8:40:04 AM
Comments (20)

Over the past two years, DFL legislators have repeatedly protected illegal aliens by refusing to adopt common-sense legislation to provide protections honest Minnesotans deserve.

These remarkable rejections of public calls for action are a slap in the face to the vast majority of Minnesotans who want safety and justice in dealing with the rapidly growing problems of illegal immigration.

Illegal aliens place extreme costs on Minnesota taxpayers. The Department of Corrections reports that there are more than 500 foreign-born felons in Minnesota prisons, and another 10,000 more alien criminals in our local jails or county probation systems.

Health care costs for illegal aliens in Minnesota were estimated to be $17 million per year in a 2005 report to the governor. Illegal aliens have more than 14,000 children in Minnesota schools, many requiring expensive special services.

Given that many illegal aliens have false identification, we can assume that additional costs in public welfare programs are incurred. It took several days for police to confirm the identity of the illegal alien accused of driving the car that caused four school children to be killed in southwest Minnesota.

Illegal aliens also affect our jobs and economic environment by often accepting low-paying jobs, depressing the job salary market. Although most illegal aliens are not bad people, they are breaking the law and their actions do have consequences.

Although many aspects of the illegal immigration problem are national in scope, there are opportunities to deal with the issue at state and local levels. Unfortunately, DFL legislators rejected Republican proposals that could have made a difference.

They include:

• A proposal to crack down harder on people who provide false documentation to get drivers' licenses was never allowed to get to the House floor.

• A proposal to require the driver's license test to be given in English was voted down by DFL legislators.

• Gas discounts for low-income illegal aliens will be given after DFL legislators rejected an amendment to strip this benefit.

• A proposed "status check" indicator on the driver's license to help police identify illegal aliens was suppressed by the DFL.

• A proposal to require the Department of Corrections to report those whose immigration status could not be determined was suppressed.

• A bill to prohibit cities from maintaining "sanctuary city ordinances" was never allowed to be heard.

• An amendment to require voters to show photo identification at the polls was suppressed by DFL legislators.

• An amendment that would have required people to demonstrate their residency or immigration status before signing up for welfare benefits was suppressed.

• An amendment to deny college admissions for illegal aliens was defeated by DFL legislators.

• Attempts to stop providing in-state tuition for illegal aliens were defeated by DFL legislators.

• A proposal to set a cap of five years on state funding for teaching English was rejected by DFL legislators.

• DFL legislators refused to even hear a bill to make English the official language.

There should be no confusion over the difference between legal and illegal immigration. Republicans join with all citizens in honoring honest, hardworking immigrants from all countries who follow the law in working legally and preparing for citizenship.

Frankly, it is a disservice to these legal immigrants to continue to allow illegal aliens to abuse the American system.

Attempts by DFL legislators to deflect the core issues of illegal immigration by claiming racism and attempting to scare legal immigrants should be recognized for what they are -- partisan double-talk.

Employers who knowingly exploit illegal aliens and break the law should not be allowed to hide behind the claim that they cannot find legal workers.

They create a magnet that distorts our legal system and creates a huge problem for border security. Employers who do follow the law need support in better screening tools for immigration status.

Voters looking for accountability on this issue should remember the way the DFL legislators have ignored the problem and their constituents. Political spin will not hide the obvious -- their actions condone and encourage illegal immigration.

Fran Bradley, R-Rochester, is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. His column appears monthly.
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Lets pray that the traitors from both parties that advocate for illegal immigrants go down in defeat come November elections.