Republican Women Request Amendment to Current Immigration Bill

PR Newswire
March 1, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, AL

Public Hearing Will Be Held today, March 2, in Montgomery, AL

The Alabama Federation of Republican Women has rejected the provisions of an E-Verify bill currently before the Alabama House of Representatives.

AFRW President Elois Zeanah stated, "HB 56 covers many aspects of illegal immigration and sponsors should be applauded. However, the E-Verify portion of this particular bill is too soft on employers and should be amended."

Three key concerns with the E-Verify section of the bill are that the bill mandates that only state contractors use E-Verify; there are no fines or possible jail times for employers who hire illegal aliens, but citizens who turn in employers can get three months in jail if charges aren't proven; and the bill leaves verification of workers for employers other than state contractors to the federal government.

Zeanah added: "This bill contains many provisions to address the presence of illegal immigrants in Alabama. These are good. But they only deal with problems."

"E-Verify, on the other hand, roots out illegal immigration through deterrence and attrition."

The organization has requested legislators to model a separate E-Verify bill after Arizona's legislation but failing that, six amendments to strengthen the bill have been recommended.

The Alabama House of Representatives will hold a hearing on the immigrations bill at 9 a.m. today.

CONTACT:Elois Zeanah, President, AL Federation of Republican Women at (205) 247-5389

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