Thread: IN: Indiana Considers Arizona-Like Immigration...(Updated)

Indiana Considers Arizona-Like Immigration Reform

Senate Committee To Consider Controversial Bill

TheINDYChannel.com
February 9, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS, IN

A proposal that would crack down on illegal immigration in Indiana is set for discussion before a Senate committee on Wednesday.

The hearing is expected to be crowded because the legislation has generated a lot of discussion and controversy.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, is slated to be discussed at the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor at 3:30 p.m.

The bill includes a requirement similar to Arizona's that stipulates law enforcement personnel verify the immigration status of people who are arrested, if there's reason to suspect they are in the country illegally.

The proposal also includes subpoena power for prosecutors trying to determine if businesses are employing illegal immigrants, along with a requirement that all government documents and communications be in English, unless trumped by federal law.

The bill also includes increased penalties on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, and it prohibits local governments from declaring themselves sanctuaries.

Previous bills that sparked protests from immigration rights groups have passed the Senate three times, but they were later killed by House leadership.

Sponsors are more optimistic that the bill will pass this session, with Republicans in charge of both legislative chambers.

Immigrant rights groups have already pledged legal action and challenges to Indiana's proposal and those in other states. Opponents argue that sponsors are clearly coming after illegal immigrants.

http://www.theindychannel.com/politics/ ... etail.html

Indiana immigration bill passes Senate committee 8 to 1

5:23 PM, Feb. 9, 2011 | 173Comments


A bill to crack down on illegal immigration passed a Senate committee tonight 8 to 1.

The vote -- with only Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage -- voting against it, came after more than four hours of at times emotional testimony, both from supporters and opponents of Senate Bill 590.

Those who favor it argued that the federal goverment has failed to do its job, leaving the nation vulnerable to terrorists and criminals and costing the state millions in taxes spent on education, health and other services used by those here illegally. And, several said, employers are taking advantage of illegal immigrants, giving them jobs for lower wages and taking work away from citizens.

Those who oppose it argued that bringing an Arizona-style law here will lead to people being asked by police to prove they are here legally, based on their skin color, broken English or foreign-sounding name. And, they added, this will hurt Indiana’s economic development as it sends the message that this is a state where those from other countries are not welcome and cost the state millions in legal fees, as it already is costing Arizona, to defend the law in likely court challenges.

The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee because of its fiscal impact. While similar legislation has passed the Senate in the past, it’s died in the House when Democrats controlled that chamber. Now Republicans control both the Senate and House, increasing the likelihood that it will become law.

Sen. Mike Delph, the Carmel Republican who authored the bill, said that all it does “is attempt to put teeth into exisiting law.â€