State lawmakers interested in immigration crackdown

Rapid City Journal
January 7, 2011
PIERRE, SD

South Dakota lawmakers are interested in cracking down on illegal immigration.

More than half the lawmakers who responded to a survey by The Associated Press say they would support a bill similar to Arizona's law that directs police enforcing other laws to ask about a suspect's immigration status if there's reason to believe that person is in the U.S. illegally.

More than half also would support a measure to penalize people who hire or help illegal immigrants.

The proposals drew support from Republicans and Democrats.

Legislative leaders say the fate of the proposals will depend on the details in the bills. They also acknowledge that illegal immigration is not as big a problem in South Dakota as in other states.

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