R.I. lawmakers revamp immigration proposals
By Hilary Russ
Associated Press
Published: Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:16 AM EST
PROVIDENCE — The new legislative session promises to add fuel to the debate over illegal immigration that’s been raging in Rhode Island since Gov. Don Carcieri signed a sweeping crackdown 10 months ago.

Some lawmakers say more needs to be done to deal with illegal immigration and are pressing a revamped version of a bill that would require private companies to use the E-Verify federal database to check the legal status of new hires.

The bill cleared the House each of the last two years, but the sponsor, Rep. Jon Brien, D-Woonsocket, said he has reworked it in a way he hopes will be more palatable to the entire General Assembly.

He’s also hoping to capitalize on the fiscal crisis in the state, which faces a roughly $357 million deficit and where nearly one in 10 people are unemployed.

“This year, I’m not looking at this as an immigration issue. I’m looking at this as a jobs issue,â€