Senate bill passes to crack down on illegal immigration in I
Senate bill passes to crack down on illegal immigration in Indiana
After more than four hours of sometimes emotional testimony, a Senate committee late Wednesday approved a bill that would require state and local police to enforce federal immigration laws.
Those who back Senate Bill 590, which is modeled on a controversial Arizona law, argued that the federal government has failed to do its job, leaving the nation vulnerable to terrorists and criminals and forcing states to spend millions of tax dollars to educate illegal immigrants and provide them with health care and other services.
And, several supporters said, employers are taking advantage of illegal residents, giving them jobs for lower wages and taking work away from citizens.
Those who oppose the bill argued that an Arizona-style law would lead to racial profiling, with police asking people -- based on their skin color, broken English or a foreign-sounding name -- to prove they are here legally.
Opponents also said the bill would have staggering costs: millions to enforce federal law and house those arrested, millions to defend the law from likely court challenges, and millions in lost economic development when the state becomes known as one that doesn't welcome foreigners.
The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration, because it is expected to cost the Indiana State Police as much as $5 million a year to enforce.
But Sen. Mike Delph, the Carmel Republican who authored the bill, said he's confident it can be adjusted to address objections, which would clear the way for the full Senate to debate it.
Similar legislation has passed the Senate before, only to die in what used to be a Democrat-controlled House. Republicans -- who have made combating illegal immigration a priority -- now control both the Senate and House, increasing the likelihood that the bill will become law.
Delph said the bill is simply "an attempt to put teeth into existing law."
With its passage, he said, "we say 'no more' to illegal immigration, and we say we really mean it. We want the rule of law restored. Period."
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The bill would require police who stop someone for another violation, such as a traffic infraction, to ask for proof that he or she is here legally if there is "reasonable suspicion" that the person is not a citizen or not in the country legally. Delph said that suspicion could be triggered by a person's inability to speak English well.
The measure also would require most government meetings and documents to be in English only. It would require the state to ask Congress to reimburse the costs of illegal immigration and would bar illegal immigrants from receiving some services and benefits, including in-state tuition at colleges.
The bill also attempts to crack down on those who employ illegal immigrants.
Delph had wanted the bill to strip businesses of their operating licenses if they were caught at least three times hiring illegal immigrants. Instead, the committee amended the bill to strip businesses of any tax deductions associated with each illegal employee. Businesses would not be penalized if they had used the federal E-verify system, which quickly lets employers check a job applicant's legal status.
Wednesday's committee hearing came several hours after Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined business, religious and university leaders in supporting an "Indiana Compact," which states that immigration "is a federal policy issue between the U.S. government and other countries -- not Indiana and other countries."
Zoeller said he understood and shared the frustration of those who say the federal government has not fulfilled its responsibility to secure U.S. borders and address immigration, and he said he would defend the bill if it becomes law.
But he also advised against passing it.
"As the state's government, we must focus on our own vital role and be realistic about assuming federal enforcement responsibilities when the methods of doing so might be constitutionally suspect or fiscally impractical," he said.
That argument didn't cut it with Bob Schrameyer, executive director of an Elkhart group called Citizens for Immigration Law Enforcement.
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"We are tired of lawbreakers thumbing their proverbial noses at our system, and we are tired of the opponents of state immigration legislation continuing their lame claim that it's a federal problem," Schrameyer said. "It's time for Indiana to act and end this culture of complacency."
Former U.S. Rep. John Hostettler, a Republican, told the committee that the word "immigration" doesn't appear anywhere in the U.S. Constitution, and he argued that states have the power to enforce it.
But Angela Adams, an immigration attorney from Indianapolis, pointed out that Arizona, which in 2010 became the first and only state to pass such legislation, is being challenged in court by the federal government. The law will cost millions to defend, and the case is likely bound for the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Why jump into this and make this our game and be the next Arizona?" Adams said. "Can we afford this? There are more constructive, less extreme ways to send a message to the federal government."
Still, one man who spent 30 years enforcing immigration laws -- retired Immigration and Naturalization Service agent Michael Cutler -- said the federal government doesn't have the manpower to secure the borders and round up the millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. The thousands of state and local police officers in Indiana and elsewhere, he said, are a "force multiplier" that is needed.
"It only makes perfect sense," Cutler said.
Goshen Police Chief Wade Branson, though, said his force is busy enough dealing with local crimes without taking on federal law enforcement duties. With budgets already strapped from property tax caps, he said, local police can't afford the additional training, interpreters or jail space needed to enforce immigration laws.
Marion Superior Court Judge Jose Salinas said he would follow the law if it were passed. But he implored the committee not to let that happen.
Looking at Delph and the committee members, he said they don't know what it's like to be asked to prove they are citizens.
"You're never going to be posed that question; let's be honest about that," said Salinas, who was born in the United States. "I will. I have been in the past."
If he were a passenger in a car stopped by police and didn't have his driver's license, his name and his Hispanic appearance might lead to a request to prove his citizenship.
"I am not going to answer the question of where I'm from," Salinas said.
"Because if Governor (Mitch) Daniels doesn't have to answer that question and Senator Delph doesn't have to answer that question, why should I?"
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"We are tired of lawbreakers thumbing their proverbial noses at our system, and we are tired of the opponents of state immigration legislation continuing their lame claim that it's a federal problem," Schrameyer said. "It's time for Indiana to act and end this culture of complacency."
Former U.S. Rep. John Hostettler, a Republican, told the committee that the word "immigration" doesn't appear anywhere in the U.S. Constitution, and he argued that states have the power to enforce it.
But Angela Adams, an immigration attorney from Indianapolis, pointed out that Arizona, which in 2010 became the first and only state to pass such legislation, is being challenged in court by the federal government. The law will cost millions to defend, and the case is likely bound for the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Why jump into this and make this our game and be the next Arizona?" Adams said. "Can we afford this? There are more constructive, less extreme ways to send a message to the federal government."
Still, one man who spent 30 years enforcing immigration laws -- retired Immigration and Naturalization Service agent Michael Cutler -- said the federal government doesn't have the manpower to secure the borders and round up the millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. The thousands of state and local police officers in Indiana and elsewhere, he said, are a "force multiplier" that is needed.
"It only makes perfect sense," Cutler said.
Goshen Police Chief Wade Branson, though, said his force is busy enough dealing with local crimes without taking on federal law enforcement duties. With budgets already strapped from property tax caps, he said, local police can't afford the additional training, interpreters or jail space needed to enforce immigration laws.
Marion Superior Court Judge Jose Salinas said he would follow the law if it were passed. But he implored the committee not to let that happen.
Looking at Delph and the committee members, he said they don't know what it's like to be asked to prove they are citizens.
"You're never going to be posed that question; let's be honest about that," said Salinas, who was born in the United States. "I will. I have been in the past."
If he were a passenger in a car stopped by police and didn't have his driver's license, his name and his Hispanic appearance might lead to a request to prove his citizenship.
"I am not going to answer the question of where I'm from," Salinas said.
"Because if Governor (Mitch) Daniels doesn't have to answer that question and Senator Delph doesn't have to answer that question, why should I?"
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Re: Senate bill passes to crack down on illegal immigration
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevetheroofer
Marion Superior Court Judge Jose Salinas said he would follow the law if it were passed. But he implored the committee not to let that happen.
Looking at Delph and the committee members, he said they don't know what it's like to be asked to prove they are citizens.
"You're never going to be posed that question; let's be honest about that," said Salinas, who was born in the United States. "I will. I have been in the past."
If he were a passenger in a car stopped by police and didn't have his driver's license, his name and his Hispanic appearance might lead to a request to prove his citizenship.
"I am not going to answer the question of where I'm from," Salinas said.
"Because if Governor (Mitch) Daniels doesn't have to answer that question and Senator Delph doesn't have to answer that question, why should I?"
And this is coming from a JUDGE!! :roll: :roll: :roll: Our country is doomed if these type of judges stay on the bench. What a complete moron!!
