This bill is a beginning, however it does not require state or local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws, it only “asks” them. Fortunately, Jackie Walorski (R-Lakeville) plans to offer an amendment to address the issue of enforcement.

(STATEHOUSE) Feb. 18, 2008 – Today, the House Public Policy Committee amended Senate Bill 335, to remove most enforcement policy. The amended bill was voted out of committee by a 7-4 vote.

SB 335, as it originally came to the House, focused on employers hiring illegal immigrants. Under the original bill, the superintendent of the Indiana State Police must enter into a memorandum of understanding concerning a pilot project for the enforcement of federal immigration and customs laws. This would allow Indiana police officers to transport illegal immigrants to detention centers.

The amendment added to the bill, offered by the sponsor, Rep. Trent VanHaaften (D-Mount Vernon), permits but does not require the state police to work with federal immigration officials to help transport illegal immigrants to detention centers.

“With this bill, we are acknowledging the federal government dropped the ball,” said Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Lakeville). “Unfortunately, that is all the bill now says. We just are passing the buck onto the next level. We’re just saying it’s a great idea to enforce the law and asking, not requiring, someone else to take care of it.

“We can’t say the Legislature has acted. This amendment doesn’t do anything, except take out the enforcement. We’ve gone from a bipartisan bill to a bipartisan idea. In order to keep the bill moving, I had to vote for it. There is still time to fix it and add some enforcement policy, and I plan to offer an amendment on second reading to do that.”

The amendment also added $1.5 million appropriation for the state police and the attorney general. The bill will likely be re-assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee for further discussion.

Rep. Walorski encourages constituents to contact her with questions or concerns through e-mail at h21@in.gov, by calling the Statehouse at 1-800-382-9841 or by writing her at the Statehouse at 200 W. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Source: Indiana House Republican Caucus

DT

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 18th, 2008 at 3:19 pm and is filed under Immigration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.