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Sensenbrenner defends anti-immigrant stance
Harsh? 'So be it,' congressman says
Associated Press
WEST ALLIS (AP) - Hours after tens of thousands of people marched in Milwaukee for immigration rights, the author of a House proposal to get tough on illegal immigrants defended it at a meeting with constituents.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, held his town hall meeting Monday evening at the West Allis Public Library in this Milwaukee suburb.

About 35 protesters, including many youngsters from Ascension Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, stood in the lobby, chanting and displaying signs criticizing Sensenbrenner's proposal to toughen laws against illegal immigration and tighten up security of U.S. borders.

His bill, passed by the House in December, would make it a felony to be in the country illegally and make it a crime to help illegal immigrants.

During the meeting, Sensenbrenner faced questions about what the legislation would mean in terms of penalties, enforcement and potentially punitive provisions.

He responded that his bill would be more punitive toward those who hire illegal immigrants than the illegal immigrants themselves.

Also, a "good Samaritan" provision would focus on those involved in smuggling people into the United States, rather than those who help undocumented immigrants, he said.

"The present system is the worst of all possible worlds," Sensenbrenner said. "We've got to stop the flow of illegal immigrants. And if (the legislation) is harsh and punitive, so be it."


Published: May 2, 2006