This is a follow up from a story published yesterday, but I wanted to explain what is going on here. Senator Mike Jorgenson introduced enforcement legislation last year to hold employers accountable for hiring illegal aliens. The bill was voted unanamously in Committee for the bill to be printed. However, Senator McKenzie shoved the bill in the drawer and said, "This bill is going nowhere" and refused to let the bill be heard on the Senate floor. When Boise got flooded with calls and emails over this, McKenzie promised to bring up Senator Jorgenson bill first thing this session. Instead, he is playing political games by sponsoring weaker bills written by big business that won't hold water in court, knowing it will be business as usual and the flow of cheap, illegal alien labor will continue for the Dairymen and Ag businesses. There is another bill being introduced by another Senator who is playing the same games. This bill below is a joke and so full of holes, it's looks like swiss cheese. There is a comment section at the bottom of the article if you would like to respond.


Canyon lawmakers sponsor illegal immigration crackdown
Mike Butts
mbutts@idahopress.com
Updated 17 hours 16 minutes ago

TREASURE VALLEY — Canyon County's four state senators have introduced legislation meant to crack down on illegal immigration.

Senate Bill 1271 would make it illegal to produce false identification when applying for employment and also for employers to knowingly hire employees that produce false documents at the time of employment.

One of the bills sponsors, Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, said legislators are working with law enforcement officials on how the law would be enforced. He said illegal immigrants cost state and local governments "tens of millions" of dollars based on a national study.

"We want to make sure that Idahoans get first shot at employment," McGee said. He said the bill has a good chance of passing "especially in light of the economy."

The Idaho Community Action Network released a statement to the Idaho Press-Tribune in opposition to the bill. ICAN, based in Boise, advocates for the rights of immigrants and the poor.

"Idaho residents should be disappointed that Canyon County senators are wasting time introducing legislation that the federal government should be dealing with," the statement reads in part. "In a recent poll conducted in Idaho (including Canyon County) residents overwhelmingly support immigrant workers to register for legal immigration status, pay back taxes and learn English in order to be eligible for U.S. citizenship. In the same poll residents do not support a crackdown on immigrants but rather a push for comprehensive immigration reform."

Proposal sets penalties

The bill would make using false identification to apply for employment a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in the county jail and up to a $5,000 fine. Knowingly hiring someone who uses false documents could draw up to a two-year jail sentence and up to a $50,000 fine.

Sen. Melinda Smyser, R-Parma, another of the bill's sponsors, said public hearings on the legislation would give lawmakers a better idea of what people and businesses thought of the bill.

"This is an issue that my constituents have been concerned about for awhile," Smyser said. "This will provide a vehicle for full hearings about the illegal alien movement in this country."

Sens. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, and Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, also sponsor the bill.

Lodge said fruit growers in the valley support the legislation.

"The idea is to make it more difficult for these people to be hired in the state of Idaho and partake of our education and our social services," Lodge said.


McGee eyes education cost

In the prepared statement, McGee said the cost of illegal immigration to the state's education system is also high. But he said in an interview that this bill would not affect illegal immigrants under 18 years old.

McGee sponsored legislation in 2007 — which became law — that requires people to verify their residency in the U.S. before receiving public assistance supported by taxpayers. He said it's difficult to say how much impact that law has had.

"We're hopeful that people are taking a second look before they try to receive benefits that are provided by Idaho taxpayers," McGee said.

http://www.idahopress.com/news/?2010-01 ... -crackdown