Thread: WI: Anti-'sanctuary' bill sought by state legislator

Anti-'sanctuary' bill sought by Grothman
Would prevent laws against checking workers' status

Judith Davidoff — 9/28/2007 7:50 am

Republican state Sen. Glenn Grothman says his proposal to prohibit cities from offering "sanctuary" to illegal aliens is in part aimed at preventing Wisconsin's return "to its status as a welfare magnet."

"If our income maintenance workers are not allowed to ask about immigration status it encourages people to come here for welfare benefits," Grothman, who hails from West Bend, said in an interview.

Grothman and Rep. Roger Roth, R-Grand Chute, are seeking co-sponsors for a bill that would prohibit local governments from adopting laws or guidelines that bar government employees from checking on the legal status of individuals seeking public services. It would also ban any local laws that would prohibit these employees from notifying the federal government of the presence of undocumented aliens.

"Whenever we have a unit of government implying that entering the country illegally is no big deal we undermine the enforcement efforts of our immigration laws," Grothman said.

He said the law is needed to prevent local governments from becoming "sanctuary" counties or cities for undocumented aliens, noting that an immigrant group recently tried to pass such a measure in Racine County.

While neither Madison nor Dane County are self-declared "sanctuary" entities, both have passed measures in recent years that clarify that undocumented residents shouldn't be denied services based solely on their residency status.

Grothman said there are as yet no Democratic co-sponsors for the bill, which he plans to introduce next week.

As the federal government continues to struggle with passage of any kind of comprehensive legislation aimed at flowing the tide of illegal immigrants, local governments and states have increasingly begun to take up the charge with proposals such as Grothman's.

Alex Gillis, an activist with the Madison-based Immigrant Workers Union, said the lawmaker's bill is another example of how the "right wing" uses immigration to promote racist ideas and spark hatred and fear of those who are undocumented.

"The fact that people are in the community without documents does not mean they are criminal or delinquent," he said.

Ben Manski, executive director of the pro-democracy group Liberty Tree, said Grothman's proposal is an attempt to use state control to shut down progressive efforts at the local level.

"We've got to reject the preemption legislation as racist and also as an attempt to shut down local democracy," he said.

Under a 2004 policy passed by the Dane County Board, social workers, police officers and other employees are barred from asking individuals their immigration status when seeking county assistance. Under the policy, law enforcement officers "shall not inquire about a person's immigration status unless investigating criminal activity other than mere status as an undocumented alien."

Such officers are required, however, to "cooperate with federal authorities in investigating and apprehending aliens suspected of criminal activity."

Former Dane County Sheriff Gary Hamblin, a Republican who now heads the state's crime lab under Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, said anyone brought into the Dane County jail is questioned on their immigration status because federal law requires the county to notify foreign consulates when a subject from their country is taken into custody.

But residents contacting the police for assistance or as witnesses to a crime, or those stopped for such things as a routine traffic stop, are not asked about their citizenship status, Hamblin added. Otherwise, people would be reluctant to report crimes or step forward as witnesses, he said.

"It doesn't engender cooperation when somebody is fearful that they could be deported," Hamblin said. "That can have a chilling impact on the investigation of crime."

Madison Ald. Brenda Konkel couldn't contain her laughter when asked what would make Grothman infer that Madison is a "sanctuary" city, though she thought conservative TV host Bill O'Reilly's reference to the city in that manner might provide a clue.

Konkel did add that the city has passed measures in recent years to ensure the civil liberties of all residents are protected.

In 2004, for instance, the City Council passed an ordinance that prevents landlords from requiring Social Security numbers from prospective tenants and prohibits landlords from retaliating against a tenant by reporting undocumented persons to law enforcement. The city also has a policy that mirrors Dane County's rules regarding the questioning of immigration status in law enforcement matters.

"If they are paying property taxes and are here in our community, why should they be denied services they are helping to pay for?" Konkel said.


http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/248251

...federal law requires the county to notify foreign consulates when a subject from their country is taken into custody.

Well, I did not know that. I think they sould call ICE first.

Dixie

"If they are paying property taxes and are here in our community, why should they be denied services they are helping to pay for?" Konkel said.

That's ridiculous.....just how many illegals own houses compared to how many suck up the services. That's a mighty big IF!