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April 9, 2008

House panels to address bills on illegal immigration

Two House committees are scheduled today to discuss a handful of bills that deal with the authority given to local officials to handle illegal immigration issues.

The hearings come just about two weeks after Governor Carcieri signed a six-point executive order aimed at dealing with illegal immigrants in the state. His measure will require state agencies and vendors to verify the legal status of all employees; allow the state to inform people whose identity has been stolen; and directs Rhode Island State Police and Department of Corrections to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “to ensure federal immigration law is enforced.”

The order has been met by protests by clergy and advocates for minority groups.

The House Labor Committee is expected to discuss H7107, sponsored by Rep. Jon D. Brien (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket). The bill would require any company in the state to use a federal system to verify that an applicant is authorized to work in the country.

The House Judiciary Committee has a long list of immigration-related bills, including H7660, sponsored by Rep. David A. Segal (D-Providence, East Providence). This bill would restrict the authority of local officials to inquire into someone’s immigration status.

The bills are sponsored by Democrats, who are the majority in the General Assembly; Carcieri is a Republican.

The House Labor Committee is set to meet in the State House, Room 201. The Judiciary Committee will meet in the basement, Room 35. Both hearings are set to begin at the rise of the House, sometime after 5 p.m.

For a full list of proposals on today’s HJC agenda, and links to the full texts of each bill, click below.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

(An earlier version of this item had the wrong room for the House Labor Committee.)

H 7138 – Sponsored by Rep. Peter G. Palumbo (D-Dist. 16, Cranston), the Rhode Island Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act would require state agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in enforcing federal immigration laws; prohibit the issuance of driver’s licenses to those who are not citizens, national or legal permanent resident aliens; require every agency or political subdivision of the state to verify the citizenship status of any person 14 or older who has applied for state or local public benefits; and make it unlawful for any businesses or individuals to knowingly harbor an illegal worker by renting or leasing a home to him or her.

H 7590 – Sponsored by Rep. Richard W. Singleton (D-Dist. 52, Cumberland), this bill would require police to report to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency the detention or arrest of any juvenile believed to be in the country illegally.

H 7591 – Also sponsored by Singleton, this bill would limit eligibility for low- and moderate-income housing to legal citizens and residents.

H 7592 – Sponsored by Singleton, this bill would prohibit those not lawfully residing in the United States from obtaining a driver’s license.

H 7593 – Sponsored by Singleton, this bill would make it a felony for any state or municipal employee to knowingly provide or assist in getting any document, information, or state benefits for an illegal immigrant.

H 7595 – Sponsored by Singleton, this bill would specifically disqualify illegal immigrants from receiving unemployment benefits.

H 7597– Sponsored by Singleton, this bill would make it an offense to employ an illegal immigrant and impose a fine on the employer. Proceeds of the fine would be shared between the State Police and the person providing the information that leads to an arrest.

H 7660 – Sponsored by Rep. David A. Segal (D-Dist. 2, Providence, East Providence), this bill would restrict inquiries into individual immigration status.

H 7700 – Sponsored by Rep. Thomas C. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence), this bill would ban landlords or their agents from inquiring into the immigration status of a tenant.

H 7746 – Sponsored by Rep. Joseph A. Trillo (D-Dist. 24, Warwick), this bill would exclude illegal immigrants who are not authorized to work in the United States from coverage under the workers’ compensation law.

H 7752 – Sponsored by Singleton, this bill would make it a felony to alter, forge or counterfeit any alien documentation.

H 7773– Sponsored by Rep. Frank G. Ferri (D-Dist. 22, Warwick), this bill would protect employers from unlawful employment practice suits for requiring an employee to provide documents required under any federal employment verification system law.

H 7967 – Sponsored by Segal, this bill would prohibit state and local law enforcement authorities from inquiring into the immigration status of a person, whether that person is an arrestee or a witness, unless that person were arrested for a felony and the arresting officer has reason to believe that person is violating immigration law. It would also prohibit local law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements to enforce federal immigration laws.

H 8031 – Sponsored by Rep. Joseph S. Almeida (D-Dist. 12, Providence), this House resolution opposes the E-Verify program, which is a component of Carcieri's executive order, and urges Congress to halt its implementation.

H 8080 – Sponsored by Palumbo, this bill would require the Department of Corrections to determine the immigration status of inmates and notify the attorney general and the federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agency of any illegal immigrants.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:16 AM | Permalink

Comments

Now is the time for everyone who votes to take a good look at who is proposing what legislation so you know who to get rid of in the next election.

Jo | April 9, 2008 8:35 AM link

Why would we want 7660, 7700, 7967, and 8031 passed? Don't politicians read the comments of posters on surveys? Overwhelmingly, the comments support legal immigration and decry illegals receiving benefits from our state. Listen to what Rhode Island residents want.

Newporter | April 9, 2008 9:25 AM link

7660,7700,7967, and 8031 are a joke.
Why does ANYBODY want ILLEGAL immigrants here ?
This country is built on Immigration... the LEGAL WAY.
Authorities should check WHOEVER they want... If you are not here correctly... Deported....

I for one am tired of working hard to pay for people who have NO right being here.
In what other country in the world can you protest the government to get EVERYTHING free and not even be legally there ????
It is about time this has come to pass....You want to come into the U.A. apply, Don't come here Ileagally, Protest in a foreign language, and expect sympathy.... Get out and let the ones who want to do it the right way in here.

Curtis | April 9, 2008 11:27 AM link

Well, it's about time something was done about this problem. Apparently, our Federal Gov't doesn't want to be bothered, especially our (RI)Congressional delegation. As taxpayers and voters, we need to pay careful attention to our GA members and how they vote. And we need to fire those who do not listen to us!! After all, they do work for us.

Donna C. | April 9, 2008 11:42 AM link

The immigration issue is about enforcing existing laws without making exceptions for certain groups. Illegal immigration is not about racism but about compliance with laws during a time of economic stress. Many illegal immigrants are from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia as well as the Carribean Islands, Mexico, and Central America. To make this a racial or cultural issue is to distort the real problem.

Robert Wilson | April 9, 2008 12:09 PM link

WE ALL NEED OUR JOBS BACK,I WAS SEND HOME FROM A JOB THAT I JUST STARTED,NOT EVEN A WEEK,THEY SAID THEY DONT NEED ME ANYMORE,BUT THE VERY SAME DAY A IMMIGRANT LADY START.COME ONE GET REAL WE ARE BEEN REJECT FROM WORK,WHILE ILEGAL ONES GET THE JOBS,SIMPLE,IT NOT RIGTH,WHOEVER OPPOSE TO GOVERNOR,ITS OPPOSING TO THE AMERICAN LEGALS ONES TO HAD A DECENT JOB,AS MY CONCERN,FOR THE GOVERNOR,IN BIG CAPITAL LETTERS,GOD BLESS YOU,AND DONT BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IT RIGTH.

TRR | April 9, 2008 12:23 PM link

Call the house judiciary and defeat these criminal coddling bills. and unelect Segal, Almeida and Slater.

canardo | April 9, 2008 12:27 PM link

For all you people who would like OUR laws enforced to protect YOU and your children. Call the clerk at the House Judiciary right now at 222 2258. These bills will be heard today. Speak up now or allow yourself to be ripped off.

roger | April 9, 2008 12:54 PM link

Yesterday, the Projo had a big Front Page article about the condemnation of the executive order by the DCYF. Buried on Page A6 was an excerpt from the Boston Globe about illegal immigrants from Massachusetts now being afraid to come into RI. Come on PROJO, that should be the lead story. It's only been a few days and the executive order is already working.

mike | April 9, 2008 1:04 PM link

VOTERS! Pay attention to who is proposing these pro-illegal bills and VOTE THEM OUT! You lazy sheep who go into the voting booth and just flip the "D" lever need to WAKE UP!

Greg | April 9, 2008 1:12 PM link

This is getting very, very tiresome to see this illegal immigration issue in the news, the TV and on the radio.

Illegal immigration is not getting old but the part here a few very, very, ignorant and self serving politicians are using their positions to pass laws providing illegal aliens with easier access to the State's entitlement table.

It is our fault that these ignorant politicians come into office.

Roland | April 9, 2008 1:39 PM link

I have nothing but praise for Governor Carcieri. It's time for the ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION in this Country to come to an end. I hope that soon, very soon, all 50 States will step up to the plate and get these ILLEGAL ALIENS back to their own country where they belong. To enter this Country is a privilege. IT IS NOT A RIGHT! These ILLEGAL ALIENS have got to learn this!

Delaware Bob | April 9, 2008 2:13 PM link

Wake up both House Commitees...people will remember come November.

Nate | April 9, 2008 4:40 PM link

Does anyone remember the day without immigrants? It has affected some basic services! America is not ready to live without (legal our illegal!) immigrants. The economic situation is already a disaster and it will be worse without immigrants! Think about that!

Gus | April 9, 2008 5:50 PM link

We, the citizens of Rhode Island, will vote out legislators who vote for pro-illegal alien bills. Legislators who propose and vote for anti-illegals bills will not have to worry about losing their jobs.

We don't put up with other crimes; why should entering the country illegally be any different? Somebody has to get a petition or do some polling on this issue so regular citizens can be heard instead of illegals.

Mikki Sanders | April 9, 2008 7:47 PM link

Being afraid to venture into Rhode Island or moving to neighboring states is all well and good, but the goal should be to get them to go back home to their own countries.

Karen | April 9, 2008 10:01 PM link

I believe that nothing will be accomplished after all this talk has cleared. We have to many in high places that put their heads in the sand, and let other people take a stand on this difficult subject. R.R.H

R.R.H | April 9, 2008 10:37 PM link

The earlier poster had it right. Pay attention in this election year to who is saying what. Tell your friend/family that don't vote to pay attention. This is going to be a huge election for setting the course of not just this state but the whole countries future on this issue.

Bill | April 10, 2008 12:00 AM link

Hello Rhode Island from Arizona. Your Governor has done what is not only right for RI but for the entire United States. Every other Governor in every other state should take the same stance. As is clear in reading the order, his concern is for the safety of his people. He could not be more correct or timely. There is a looming disaster heading our way. We are already feeling the positive effects of stronger state laws in Arizona. Watch for what is going on in Central & South America that affects you, especially the daily translation of foreign news. The clarion call to your Congressmen and Senators must be employer sanctions. If they cannot work, they will not come. That simple. Let the voice of America be heard.

Zack Taylor | April 12, 2008 6:58 AM link

I cannot believe some of the comments that I have been reading. 1st of all, Most "immigrants" come to this country to work not to lay around a collect some kind of government check. Most of them come here to feed their families because their country refuse to meet their basic needs like food and shelter.

And about taking OUR JOBS most of these people work over 10 to 18 hours a day something that I know no "legal person" is willing to do. And looking at the people that are recieving unemployment and welfare benefits most of them are residents. And about the crime level, most people committing them are LEGAL people in this country.. AN immigrant crime is crossing boarders with the help of our people to come to this country and survive.
I strongly, believe this is an issue that will never be solved..But if Government is really serious about resolving this issue, well they need to begin speaking to other countries that are not helping their own, so that their people do not feel the need to leave their country. There are reasons why people leave. If you are happy and your needs are being met, you will not leave. United States need a reform to help those that are already here w/children and let them be apart of the American Dream instead of outcasting them like if they were beneath us. This reminds me of Hitler(USA) and the Jews (illegal immigrants)

MA | April 30, 2008 12:58 PM link

April 9, 2008

House panels to address bills on illegal immigration

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