Thread: PA: Illegals targeted at Harrisburg rally

May 21, 2007 - 11:37 AM EDT
Illegals targeted at Harrisburg rally

HARRISBURG -- | A western Pennsylvania lawmaker called on Congress to protect Pennsylvania from an "invasion" of illegal immigrants, even as he sharply denounced compromise legislation in Washington that could provide an eventual road to citizenship to many of those immigrants.

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, announced here this morning that he'd created a new, nationwide coalition called "State Legislators for Legal Immigration." It's aimed at restricting access to social welfare programs and other economic incentives that prompt some to enter the country illegally.

Metcalfe, who's been outspoken on the issue, claimed the group has membership in 25 states, and that lawmakers in those states will be holding press conferences this week to announce their existence.

"Since Washington D.C. remains AWOL on fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities to secure our nation's borders against foreign invaders, it is not only incumbent but the obligation for state lawmakers to step up and do the job that our federal government refuses to do," he said.

The U.S. Senate was slated to begin debate this afternoon on a compromise immigration bill that backers hope will clear the chamber by Memorial Day. However, with provisions that its critics denounce as "amnesty" for those who enter the country illegally, the bill faces a hostile future in the U.S House of Representatives. President Bush supports the measure.

Earlier this spring, Metcalfe and several other state lawmakers introduced a five-bill package that would, among other things, punish employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and eliminate all non-medical public benefits for illegal immigrants.

Metcalfe was joined at Monday's press conference by Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, who stressed the law enforcement threat posed by illegal immigrants -- including gang activity and identity theft.

"Those who come here illegally commit crimes and impact negatively on our economy," Morganelli said.

Mariann Davies, of Doylestown Township and vice-chair of a national Hispanic-American group called "You Don't Speak For Me," said the compromise immigration bill would "result in unfunded mandates" that would "deplete" the so-called social safety net. Her group opposes the federal compromise.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-ral ... 7748.story

This is good news!

Dixie

EXCELLENT.

You know, if things like this keep up, President Bush just may give up himself. Wouldn't THAT be a great day in America!!

Good... Other then the usual suspects no one is really coming out in support of this bill...

this is great!

This is why I live in the Pittsburgh area. We are proactive

PLEASE GO TO statelegislatorsforlegalimmigration.com and sign their petition. You can also read more about the group and which 25 states belong.

Originally Posted by Dixie

This is good news!

Dixie

I'm calling my state reps and asking them to join.