Kansas Rep. Ann Mah D-Topeka
Democrats' immigration plan targets employers
BY JEANNINE KORANDA
TOPEKA - Promising to attack the "magnet" drawing illegal immigrants to Kansas -- jobs -- House Democrats presented an immigration reform package Wednesday focused on employers.
Rep. Ann Mah, D-Topeka, called the proposal a "rational response to a serious problem that was largely created by employers who hire illegal workers."
In the Democrats' proposal, businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants face penalties including losing state contracts and grants, a three- to five-year probation period or losing their licenses after a second violation.
Democrats have previously tried unsuccessfully to pass similar measures. This year, Republicans in the House and Senate have listed immigration reform as a top priority.
Some Democrats are hoping that will help get the tougher employment measures through.
"We're glad to see that there is agreement that there are problems here that need to be addressed in the Kansas workplace," said House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg.
Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, is gathering signatures for an immigration reform package she plans to push this year. Her idea also cracks down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, but includes several social aspects.
She wants to ensure illegal immigrants aren't receiving public benefits such as welfare or voting.
"The question is, why are they targeting just the businesses?" she asked.
Landwehr said she wanted to see the details of the Democrats' proposal before commenting on it in detail.
The House GOP also wants to make voters present a photo ID before casting a ballot, to prevent illegal immigrants from voting. Republicans say the problem is widespread, but have offered no specific evidence.
Democrats said there was no evidence of a problem with illegal immigrants voting and they felt the current laws were sufficient.
Democrats and Republicans say that if employers use E-verify, a free online database businesses can use to check new employees' names and Social Security numbers, they will not be punished if they employ illegal immigrants.
The Kansas Chamber of Commerce opposes the idea of requiring businesses to use additional checks beyond what the federal government already requires, said Glen Dening, vice president for political affairs at the chamber.
http://www.kansas.com/news/legislature/story/290308.htm
From The Witchita Eagle http://www.kansas.com/, a proposal by Democrats in the Kansas Legislature to discourage the hiring of illegal aliens within the Sunflower State.
Democrats' immigration plan targets employers
BY JEANNINE KORANDA
Witchita Eagle 01/24/08
Eagle Topeka bureau
TOPEKA - Promising to attack the "magnet" drawing illegal immigrants to Kansas -- jobs -- House Democrats presented an immigration reform package Wednesday focused on employers.
Rep. Ann Mah, D-Topeka, called the proposal a "rational response to a serious problem that was largely created by employers who hire illegal workers."
In the Democrats' proposal, businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants face penalties including losing state contracts and grants, a three- to five-year probation period or losing their licenses after a second violation.
Democrats have previously tried unsuccessfully to pass similar measures. This year, Republicans in the House and Senate have listed immigration reform as a top priority.
Some Democrats are hoping that will help get the tougher employment measures through.
"We're glad to see that there is agreement that there are problems here that need to be addressed in the Kansas workplace," said House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg.
Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, is gathering signatures for an immigration reform package she plans to push this year. Her idea also cracks down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, but includes several social aspects.
She wants to ensure illegal immigrants aren't receiving public benefits such as welfare or voting.
"The question is, why are they targeting just the businesses?" she asked.
Landwehr said she wanted to see the details of the Democrats' proposal before commenting on it in detail.
The House GOP also wants to make voters present a photo ID before casting a ballot, to prevent illegal immigrants from voting. Republicans say the problem is widespread, but have offered no specific evidence.
Democrats said there was no evidence of a problem with illegal immigrants voting and they felt the current laws were sufficient.
Democrats and Republicans say that if employers use E-verify, a free online database businesses can use to check new employees' names and Social Security numbers, they will not be punished if they employ illegal immigrants.
The Kansas Chamber of Commerce opposes the idea of requiring businesses to use additional checks beyond what the federal government already requires, said Glen Dening, vice president for political affairs at the chamber.
http://www.kansas.com/news/legislature/story/290308.htm
Representative Mah's bill suggests that Democrats in the Kansas Legislature understand the importance of solving the illegal immigration problem. Legislators in other states would be well advised to take a similar course of action. The American people want illegal immigration brought under control and the first step is stop the law-breaking employers who act as magnets for undocumented workers.
2 comments:
I think illegal immigration is a problem that requires a softer solution than what politicans often suggest. The USA is a country about tolerance and I know alot of people mention the legal ways of immigrating to the USA but has anyone ever had a look at those ways and how feasible they are to the average person seeking a better life? Employers are not the problem, people will still continue to migrate to the USA regardless of employer legislation, what needs to be done is a more open system that allows immigration to the USA to become an easier process.
BULL SHIT
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