Thread: WI: County board can't legally ask immigration status

Associated Press - August 15, 2007 10:15 AM ET

APPLETON, Wis. (AP) - Outagamie County supervisors have run into a legal brick wall over plans to ask for a person's immigration status in return for county services.

County board members wanted to require people to show they legally live in the United States in order to get services like in-home health care or food stamps.

Outagamie County Corporation Counsel Joe Guidote (guh-DOH'-tee) says asking for a person's immigration status is unconstitutional.

But some board members aren't convinced. Supervisor Chuck Schmidt says in order to receive services, a resident has to prove they live in the county. Schmidt asks what's the difference with asking about U.S. residency?

Board members are asking the state attorney general for a second opinion.


Information from: Lauren Cook/WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=6935092

If I apply for a job they can

States and local governments need to be able to ask the status of everyone. An individual should have to prove that they are in the country legally.

Unconstitutional??? Absurd! If that is so, then residency requirements for school districts, etc. are unconstitutional. There are countless times when people have to prove they are a resident of a particular county or city to receive services. Just because people don't like something, they declare it unconstitutional!
Counties could not stay in business if they just handed out services to everyone without question. It's ridiculous. If you can't ask them about legal residency in the country, certainly you couldn't ask them about legal residency in the city or county.