Thread: MS: Immigration Bill Headed to Governor

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs. ... 3/80305033

Immigration bill headed to the governor
The Clarion-Ledger • March 5, 2008


A bill prohibiting companies from hiring illegal immigrants in Mississippi is headed to the governor.

Senate Bill 2988 passed the state House this afternoon. The bill had passed the state Senate last month. The House did not make any changes to it.

"This is by far the most comprehensive illegal immigration reform in Mississippi’s history and it was done without adversely impacting law abiding citizens or employers,â€

WAY TO GO MISSISSIPPI!!!

It's called progress - one city, county and even state at a time.

Hurray another state !!!!



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Does this bill have any teeth in it?? I haven't read any stories about cheap-labor and ethnocentric groups whining, which makes me a little leery.

Originally Posted by Populist

Does this bill have any teeth in it?? I haven't read any stories about cheap-labor and ethnocentric groups whining, which makes me a little leery.

I hope so I don't like wasteing my fireworks!!

Here's more on the bill.....

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http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comment ... 7_0_27_0_C

Undocumented Workers, Felons and Fines
By Adam Lynch
March 5, 2008

Illegal immigrants and employers of illegal immigrants beware. The House passed Senate Bill 2988 by a wide margin today. The bill, called the Mississippi Employee Protection Act, forces all employers in the state to check employees’ resident status with the E-verification System, available online at the Department of Homeland Security’s Web site. It also makes any undocumented worker and anyone employing an undocumented worker a felon, with a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The House, which had proven largely indifferent to immigration issues in the past, passed the bill with a 111-to-8 vote.

Rep. Brandon Jones, D-Pascagoula, argued that the bill was aimed at regulating both employee and employer, though Rep. Willie Perkins, D-Greenwood, countered that the bill’s language forces court personnel to consider violators of this particular law a flight risk—a move Perkins said was clearly aimed at immigrants.

“We know who this bill targets,â€

Thanks for the info ShockedinCa.

March 6, 2008


Barbour expected to back reforms on immigrant hires

Bill would require employers to use database to determine legal status

Natalie Chandler

A spokesman for Gov. Haley Barbour said he will probably support the first immigration-reform legislation sent to him by state lawmakers, a bill that would force companies to take extra measures in making sure illegal immigrants aren't hired.

Senate Bill 2988, approved overwhelmingly by House members Wednesday, is headed to Barbour for his consideration. If approved, it would require employers to use an online database to determine whether potential workers are U.S. citizens.

Companies would have to use eVerify, a federal pilot program that is voluntary. It accesses Social Security and federal immigration records, but critics say it sometimes provides inaccurate information.

Immigrants-rights advocates warned the legislation could hurt the state's economy and lead to an exodus of workers in jobs from construction and poultry processing to restaurants and hotels.

Larger companies would be required to begin using the system first. Those with 250 employees or more would have to comply beginning in July. Smaller companies would have to comply in the following years, with those employing fewer than 30 required to use it by 2011.

Penalties include the cancellation of state or public contracts. Companies also could be prohibited from bidding on any such contracts for up to three years. It also could cause employers to lose licenses or permits.

The bill is "intended to take away incentive to break the law," said Rep. Brandon Jones, a freshman Democrat from Pascagoula who pushed the bill on the House floor.

Barbour, a Republican, is "likely to sign bill," said his spokesman, Pete Smith.

The Washington-based Pew Research Center estimates there are up to 50,000 undocumented immigrants living in Mississippi, an increase from 5,000 in 1990. The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance puts the number closer to 200,000.

MIRA President Bill Chandler said many "entered with authorization and their status has lapsed for one reason or another."

Many work in poultry plants and the hospitality industry, he said. Others are helping in hurricane rebuilding efforts and some work on farms, he added.

"Who's going to do that work? People go through school here and get diplomas and go to college to avoid jobs like that," said Chandler, who added it would cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars to imprison illegal immigrants.

Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, who vowed an illegal immigration crackdown in his campaign last fall, said in a statement the legislation is "by far the most comprehensive illegal immigration reform in Mississippi's history and it was done without adversely impacting law-abiding citizens or employers."

Business groups were less enthusiastic, though unopposed to the bill.

Mississippi Manufacturers' Association President Jay Moon said in a statement the organization "does not support employers who knowingly or intentionally hire illegal or undocumented workers in violation of current law."

He added, "If an employer can show that it has followed the law and has made a good-faith effort to hire legal, documented workers, then that employer should not be penalized if the verification system fails to identify an employee as an illegal immigrant."

Said Mississippi Economic Council President Blake Wilson: "We don't like things that add more regulatory burdens, but you also have to work with your government."

www.clarionledger.com

Originally Posted by Populist

Does this bill have any teeth in it?? I haven't read any stories about cheap-labor and ethnocentric groups whining, which makes me a little leery.

That's a great question. Here's the bill itself...
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/docume ... 2988PS.htm