Nelson wants to stem illegal immigrants
By DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Responding to what he identified as a major constituent concern, Sen. Ben Nelson said Tuesday he will propose a crackdown on illegal immigration.




Nelson will introduce legislation designed to help secure U.S. borders by increasing border patrol agents and improving surveillance.

His bill also would toughen penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants and require automatic deportation of any illegal immigrant who commits a felony.

“We need to try to stop the flood of illegal immigration and give law enforcement officers the tools they need,� the Democratic senator said.



Nelson’s bill does not directly address how to handle millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States.

“We’ll deal with that later,� he told a telephone news conference from Washington. The first step, Nelson said, is to “stop digging the hole.�

When asked how his bill compares with immigration reform legislation previously sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hagel, his Republican colleague, Nelson said: “I don’t have any amnesty.�

Neither does Hagel’s plan, said Mike Buttry, the senator’s spokesman.

“Senator Nelson must be confused how Sen. Hagel’s bill worked,� Buttry said. “It was not amnesty. Senator Hagel agrees with President Bush on this issue.�

Hagel recently met with senior White House staff members to discuss immigration reform, Buttry said.

Hagel’s plan provided a pathway to legalized status for illegal immigrant workers and their families already in the United States. They would need to comply with a list of requirements and pay a $1,000 fine.

Nelson said not a day goes by when he is in Nebraska that a constituent does not voice concerns to him about illegal immigrants.

Most of the questions he fielded during a recent statewide radio call-in show focused on the issue, he said.

Nebraskans have expressed concern about related tax obligations, the effect on health care costs and quality education, the impact on the job market and the threat to national security, the senator said.

Nelson said his proposal would increase resources to expedite legal immigration.


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