Activists reject Illinois anti-immigrant bill

Published February 22, 2011

Chicago – A group of activists criticized Monday the "hatred against immigrants" embodied in a bill presented in the Illinois General Assembly modeled on Arizona's controversial state law SB1070.

Randy Ramey Jr., a Republican who represents West Chicago, presented HB1969, the "Taxpayers Protection Act," which authorizes local police forces to detain anyone they suspect of being an undocumented foreigner.

The measure would ban any limits on local police work in enforcing federal immigration laws.

HB1969 would impose penalties on foreigners not carrying a residence permit at all times, and for employers who "intentionally" hire illegal aliens.

The bill also imposes severe penalties on people who transport, hide or protect undocumented immigrants.

While Ramey says he wants to protect taxpayers, his initiative only "continues to enflame hatred against immigrants instead of proposing real solutions to fix our immigration system," the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights said in a statement.

It added that Ramey's bill is a near copy of SB1070, "which sparked a wave of anti-immigrant hatred surging across the U.S., destroying hundreds of thousands of families and allowing local 'cowboy cops' to hunt whoever they think looks like an immigrant."

Census data indicates that in Illinois there are at least 250,000 undocumented immigrants, mostly of Mexican origin.

A survey published by the Chicago Tribune indicated that 87 percent of people who live in the metropolitan area support the passing of immigration reform that regularizes the status of undocumented aliens.

The Illinois lower house, where HB1969 was presented, also condemned the Arizona law last year in a bipartisan vote.

That vote shows Ramey "doesn't even represent the views of many Republicans," according to ICIRR, which calls the lawmaker an "anti-immigrant extremist."

The coalition cites a study by the University of Illinois at Chicago estimating that undocumented immigrants in the Chicago area generate $5.45 billion a year in economic activity, spurring the creation of 31,000 jobs.

"All of this would be lost if HB 1969 passes - just as Arizona's economy further tanked after it enacted SB 1070," the ICIRR said.

Pro-immigrant activists will stage a political rally March 3 in Springfield, Illinois' capital, to pressure state lawmakers to block the bill.

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