Thread: OH-Lawmaker Hopes To Enlist Employers In Immigration Fight

Lawmaker Hopes To Enlist Employers In Immigration Fight
Legislation Would Require Federal Check Of Worker Status
Travis Gettys, WLWT.com
POSTED: 3:26 pm EDT May 14, 2009
UPDATED: 3:30 pm EDT May 14, 2009


HAMILTON, Ohio -- A Butler County lawmaker said Thursday that he would introduce legislation that would enlist Ohio employers in the fight against illegal immigration.

Legislation proposed by state Rep. Courtney Combs would require public and private employers to register with E-Verify, currently a voluntary federal program operated by the Social Security Administration and United States Department of Homeland Security.

Combs, a Hamilton Republican, said the requirement would help provide much-needed job opportunities for Ohio workers.

"Using the E-verify system will ensure that foreign lawbreakers are not taking jobs from legal Ohioans," Combs said.

The legislation would also charge jail officials with making reasonable efforts to verify the citizenship of anyone jailed on any offense.

If jail officials cannot verify a prisoner's citizenship or if they determine a prisoner is illegally visiting the U.S., the legislation would require them to notify DHS and make a digital record of the prisoner's fingerprints.

"Verifying citizenship and legal status to work in the United States will benefit American citizens who wish to work and cannot find a position," said Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/19463170/detail.html

Amen, Mr. Combs. Can the rest of the country borrow him?