Indiana Senate OKs immigration bill; House considers next
By Dan McFeely

January 29, 2008


A controversial illegal immigration bill was passed by the Indiana Senate tonight by a vote of 37-11.
The vote came after a lengthy and passionate debate among senators.

It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 335, targeting employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants in Indiana, would allow the attorney general’s office and local prosecutors to investigate written complaints of such practices. An employer who is found to have violated the law would be punished based on a three-tier system:

• The first offense would draw a warning.

• A second offense, if committed within 10 years, would result in a suspended business license.

• A third offense within 10 years would lead to a revoked business license.
Businesses would verify the status of their employees through the federal employment verification pilot program, E-Verify.

The bill also would make it a Class A misdemeanor to transport, shield from detection, conceal or harbor an illegal immigrant for commercial or financial gain.

The bill provides exemptions for medical services, religious organizations, attorneys and parents, spouses or children of the illegal immigrants.

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