Presbyterian Church vows to cancel Indy convention if tough immigration bill becomes law

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: March 05, 2011 - 9:11 am
Last Updated: March 05, 2011 - 9:11 am

INDIANAPOLIS — A proposal to crack down on illegal immigrants in Indiana is drawing fire from tourism officials, who say at least one convention has vowed to cancel if the bill becomes law.

The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association tells The Indianapolis Star that the Presbyterian Church's Bi-Annual Conference has notified the group it will not hold its July conference here as scheduled if the proposed law takes effect.

Republican Sen. Mike Delph's bill is similar to one adopted in Arizona and would require state and local police to ask a person they have stopped for a violation for proof of legal residence if the officer has a "reasonable suspicion" the person is not a citizen or is in the country illegally. It also contains penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

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