Posted on Mon, Mar. 17, 2008
Barbour signs bill requiring checks on immigrants' status
The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. --Gov. Haley Barbour has signed into law a bill that will require employers to check immigrants' status.

But Barbour, a Republican, said he has "serious concerns about specific provisions of the bill that could have unintended negative consequences."

Barbour signed the bill Monday, and it becomes law Jan. 1.

It will require employers to use the U.S. Homeland Security electronic verification system to check whether new hires are legal residents. Employers who hire illegal immigrants are subject to losing their business license for a year and any state contract work for up to three years.

Any illegal immigrant found working in the state could face a one-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.

http://www.sunherald.com/306/story/435778.html

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Governor's press release here:

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-108340.html