State lawmakers advance bill to increase penalties for hiring illegal immigrants
by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)
Officials arrested 36 suspected undocumented workers at Janco Composites in Mishawaka in March 2007. (WSBT file photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Feb 18, 2008 at 6:21 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 18, 2008 at 6:22 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — Some lives could change forever if a new bill targeting illegal immigrants makes it through the Indiana Statehouse.

A House committee added state money to help enforce the law.

Federal agents took dozens of illegal immigrants into custody from a company in Mishawaka last year. Officials arrested 36 suspected undocumented workers at Janco Composites in March 2007.

But Indiana lawmakers say it's not enough, so they've proposed their own bill. It would increase penalties for businesses that knowingly hire illegals — including taking away their license.

That’s not sitting well with one local religious leader.

St. Adalbert's is a church founded by immigrants almost a century ago.

"We serve people in this parish who speak English, Polish and Spanish,â€