Lawmaker wants curbs on illegal immigrants
Friday, April 06, 2007

By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau



HARRISBURG -- State Rep. Mark Mustio sees the recent arrests of eight illegal Mexican immigrants in Moon as a reason why the House should quickly move ahead with a package of five bills promoting national security.

The Moon Republican said yesterday that the eight illegal immigrants were arrested after a raid at a Moon apartment March 23. They were charged with being in the country illegally and then additional charges of drug trafficking were tacked on when 6 ounces of "black tar heroin," drug money and other drug records were found.

State authorities said their investigation of the men's actions related to heroin dealing extends to Allegheny and Beaver counties and as far west as Columbus, Ohio.

In a news release, Mr. Mustio said black tar heroin has been produced and distributed by Mexican drug syndicates since the mid-1980s. The substance has a gummy, latex-like consistency and is usually injected or smoked, he said. It can cause a severe form of cellulitus where infected tissues and muscles rapidly deteriorate and cause a person to die from kidney failure.

"Without question," Mr. Mustio said, "illegal immigration is no longer just an issue for U.S. border states, but a very real problem that is negatively impacting communities like Moon Township."

He said the arrests show the need for a package of five "national security" bills, which he, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, and other lawmakers introduced last month.

One bill would terminate any state-issued professional license of an employer who knowingly hires an illegal alien. Another would require employers to verify the Social Security number of a prospective employee. Another bill would eliminate all public benefits for nonmedical emergencies for illegal aliens, including welfare, education and unemployment benefits.

Mr. Metcalfe has said the federal government isn't doing its job in keeping illegal immigrants out of the United States, and so states must take action.


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(Harrisburg Bureau chief Tom Barnes can be reached at tbarnes@post-gazette.com or 1-717-787-4254. )

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