Kobach urges Ks. action on immigration

January 14, 2011

By Tim Carpenter
THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Secretary of State Kris Kobach took to a microphone Friday in the Capitol's old Supreme Court chamber to outline a vision of immigration reform for Kansas.

Kobach, while a University of Missouri-Kansas City law professor, helped draft a controversial Arizona law making illegal immigration a state crime and granting law enforcement officers new power to question people about their status if there is reasonable suspicion they're undocumented.

The law adopted by Arizona lawmakers -- Senate Bill 1070 -- is being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice in federal court.

"There are many legislators in this building who have talked about taking all or part of SB1070 and enacting it in Kansas," Kobach said.

He told a group of about 60 people affiliated with tea party, gun rights and state sovereignty groups that "Kansas should take part" in the cutting-edge movement by cities and states to get a grip on immigration.

"If enforced, according to its terms and if it finally gets out of court, it will do a great deal to reinforce the rule of law on immigration," Kobach said.

Kobach, a Republican, was elected secretary of state in November. He campaigned on a platform that included reform of election laws to thwart voting by illegal immigrants.

He proposes people present proof of citizenship to register to vote and that people show a picture ID when voting.

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