RI bill would limit checks into immigration status
April 5, 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island authorities would be banned from checking a person's immigration status to enforce some state laws under a bill the Senate plans to debate this week.

Rep. Charles Levesque's bill would prohibit state officials from considering immigration status when investigating potential violations of state employment, labor or civil rights laws.

The Senate Judiciary Committee planned to consider the measure Wednesday.

Lawmakers have debated several immigration-related bills since Gov. Don Carcieri signed an executive order last year ordering a state crackdown on illegal immigrants. It requires executive branch agencies and companies doing business with the state to electronically verify the immigration status of new employees.

It also directs state police and prison officials to identify illegal immigrants for possible deportation.


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