Immigration bill targets illegal workers
By JOHN S. ADAMS Tribune Capitol Bureau • February 18, 2009

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HELENA — A lawmaker from Park City wants lawmakers to pass a bill that would make it illegal for employers to hire unauthorized alien workers, but critics say the bill would encourage racial profiling and put a strain on law enforcement resources.




The House Business and Labor Committee took up Republican Rep. David Howard's House Bill 496 on Tuesday.


Howard said the federal government isn't doing enough to prevent employers from hiring unauthorized aliens, and it's time for the state to step up.


"Today, if you're an employer and you purposely hire unauthorized aliens to work for you, there is no penalty," Howard told the committee. "The advantage of hiring unauthorized aliens is you don't have to pay workers (compensation). You can many times pay them half what the going rate is, and you can hire twice the number of people to do the job."


Under the bill, employers who knowingly hire unauthorized aliens would lose their license to do business in the state for seven days. A second violation could result in up to a 30-day license suspension. A third offense could lead to a 180-day suspension.


Proponents of the measure said the bill is designed to protect unauthorized alien workers.


"This does happen in Montana," said Keith Allen of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 233."Thisbill does not target the people, but when an employer is abusing these people, they do not need to have the right to do business in this state of ours."


Opponents said immigration policy isa federal issuein need of reform, but the state could be heading down a dangerous path of racial profiling if HB496 becomes law.

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