Bill targets illegal immigrants
Shawn Gude - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: Metro
Illegal immigrants behind bars wouldn't be able to post bail under a bill set to hit the floor for debate this week in the Iowa House.
The bill, HF 2686, has evolved from a workplace identity-theft measure to a more expansive one that includes the contentious bail-denying provision.
Rep. Paul Shomshor, D-Council Bluffs, acknowledged this much, saying the proposed law is "controversial, but there are aspects that are beneficial if people are concerned with illegal immigration."
The bill would require employers to check workers' identification - either a driver's license, or a non-operator's identification card from a state surrounding Iowa - within 10 business days of hiring the individual. In addition, a provision in the bill would make it illegal for workers to attempt to get around the identification system by posing as a fictitious person.
"If people are concerned about businesses taking advantage of workers, I think it's a good bill," Shomshor said.
Shomshor, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee that recently approved the bill, stressed the measure is still a work in progress - even among his fellow party members.
"We're kind of still debating it as a caucus … There's some work to be done still," he said.
The bill, HF 2686, has evolved from a workplace identity-theft measure to a more expansive one that includes the contentious bail-denying provision.
Rep. Paul Shomshor, D-Council Bluffs, acknowledged this much, saying the proposed law is "controversial, but there are aspects that are beneficial if people are concerned with illegal immigration."
The bill would require employers to check workers' identification - either a driver's license, or a non-operator's identification card from a state surrounding Iowa - within 10 business days of hiring the individual. In addition, a provision in the bill would make it illegal for workers to attempt to get around the identification system by posing as a fictitious person.
"If people are concerned about businesses taking advantage of workers, I think it's a good bill," Shomshor said.
Shomshor, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee that recently approved the bill, stressed the measure is still a work in progress - even among his fellow party members.
"We're kind of still debating it as a caucus … There's some work to be done still," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
T "C" W
posted 4/14/08 @ 5:56 AM CST
This Bill needs to become Law. Iowa needs to do what the Federal government has not done. And, that is protect its Legal Citizens from Illegal aliens who should be sitting in jail/prison for crimes they have committed. (Continued…)
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