Legislature may enter immigration debate[FL]

N.Y. Times Regional Newspapers ^ | 25 Feb 2007 | Carol E. Lee

[BGHater]

Two-thirds of Florida voters say they want tougher government action against illegal immigration. Continue to 2nd paragraph

And, on the surface at least, the Florida Legislature is responding.

A dozen bills calling for stronger immigration enforcement and regulations have been filed in the Legislature this year - more than double the number last year. The movement is in step with dozens of other states, which are trying to confront illegal immigration themselves in the absence of federal reform.

But in a state with the third-largest immigrant population in the country - an estimated 3.5 million - these bills already face resistance from business and immigrant advocacy groups.

And top leaders in state government are not showing much support, either. Gov. Charlie Crist and House Speaker Marco Rubio, who have been at odds on many issues, have shown no signs of pushing tougher immigration laws.

"The agriculture and construction and hospitality industries in Florida would collapse without undocumented immigrants," said Rep. David Rivera, a Republican from Miami and a close friend of Rubio. "The prospects for success for these types of proposals are dim."

Some leading Republicans see a harsh stance on immigration as a losing position for the GOP, which has slipped in approval among the nation's fastest-growing voting bloc: Latinos, which now represent 11 percent of registered voters.

"Politicians that use this as a wedge issue, it's a loser," former Gov. Jeb Bush said of immigration in an October interview with The Hoover Institution, a Stanford University think tank.

"To totally disarm a group that is the only group that is growing in our country...we do it at our peril. It's wrong and it's stupid," Bush said.

The bills in Florida's Legislature would, among other things, penalize farmers and government contractors caught hiring undocumented workers; place stricter regulations on public benefits; and require local police to notify federal authorities after arresting illegal immigrants.

Currently, certain regulations, such as having state contractors participate in a federal program to verify their employees' legal status, are voluntary.

These bills seek to make them mandatory and allow Florida to levy penalties for violations.

Supporters of the bills say they address the concerns of Florida voters, two-thirds of whom said in a December Quinnipiac University poll that they favor stricter enforcement of immigration laws over integrating illegal immigrants into the United States.

The bills' supporters say stopping illegal immigrants from moving to Florida will save money for legal residents and citizens, and make competition more fair for businesses.

"The state needs to level the playing field for lawful businesses," said David Caulkett, vice president of Floridians for Immigration Reform. "The frustration is just built up."

But Floridians' positions on immigration are not clear-cut.

Exit polls in the state's Jan. 29 presidential primary showed that nearly 60 percent of voters would allow illegal immigrants to stay as temporary workers or gain a path to citizenship.

Critics of the immigration bills say they would force businesses to increase wages and pay more for benefits, which would make it difficult for them to afford workers and raise prices for consumers.

"People need to think very carefully about what they want because of the economic consequences,'' said Sheila Hopkins, associate director for social concerns at the Florida Catholic Conference.

"In Florida particularly, we are very vulnerable because of agriculture and tourism being our two biggest industries,'' Hopkins said.

Florida's influx of immigration bills this year follows a national trend.

Nationally, the number of immigration laws adopted by states last year nearly tripled since 2006, from 84 to 240, according to a 2007 report by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Most aspects of immigration policy, such as border control, are handled by the federal government.

Immigration debates in legislatures across the country largely focus on identification issues, such as drivers licenses, employment and public health and education benefits.

The most comprehensive bill under consideration in Florida this year was modeled after a package adopted in Oklahoma last year.

The bill, filed by Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, targets businesses who hire illegal immigrants and requires law enforcement to determine the legal status of those arrested for drunken driving or boating.

It would also force local law enforcement to share information with federal agencies about the legal status of immigrants.

Opponents say the legislation could result in racial profiling and discourage immigrants from reporting crimes.

Proponents say it would encourage deportation of illegal immigrants.

Brown said he decided to focus on immigration after receiving a "vehement response" to an e-mail cartoon he forwarded last year that said, "Don't forget to pay your taxes on April 15. 12 million illegal aliens are counting on you." (He later apologized to legislators for the e-mail).

"It became more apparent to me that there was a more of a problem there than I had realized," said Brown, adding that he does not expect his bill to pass easily.

"Florida's not Oklahoma," Brown said. "It's going to be up to every member of the legislature to act according to their conscience and their constituency."

Except for a bill to prohibit the use of the term "illegal alien'' in state documents, all the immigration bills in the Legislature this year have been filed by Republicans, who control both chambers of the Legislature and the governor's office.

[BGHater]

Some Gems:

"The agriculture and construction and hospitality industries in Florida would collapse without undocumented immigrants," said Rep. David Rivera, a Republican from Miami and a close friend of Rubio.

"Politicians that use this as a wedge issue, it's a loser," former Gov. Jeb Bush said of immigration in an October interview with The Hoover Institution, a Stanford University think tank.

"To totally disarm a group that is the only group that is growing in our country...we do it at our peril. It's wrong and it's stupid," Bush said.

[BGHater]

Correction, date is 25 Feb 2008.

[Liz]

Anti-illegal is a rare consensus issue that crosses party lines---the chief reason why shamnesty was defeated twice in the US Congress. States are finally defending America and are bearing down on illegals.

According the National Conference of State Legislatures, Arizona (a border state) recently mandated the federal work authorization database E-Verify (formerly known as Basic Pilot).

The Arizona law was upheld by a federal judge who rejected claims that Arizona had assumed the federal role in regulating immigration. This is a huge step in the anti-illegal fight since it nullifies the lame excuse used by illegals to retain their status. The court rightly ruled that the state had the right to regulate business.

Now New Jersey will enact such legislation. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney said his proposal aims to "put up a stop sign for illegals who undermine family, educational and health care support systems."

[Liz]

The linchpin of democracy is our rule of law---something invaders from Third World hellholes cannot fathom.

Aliens advocating law-breaking are undermining the US government and should come under federal scrutiny.

Latino agitators echo the ourtageous criticisms of America by Mexican president Calderon.

Where do the alien advocacy groups get their financing? Are the alien advocates being financed to advance the agendas of foreign governments? Why all the secrecy? Are they colluding to undermine----and perhaps overthrow-----the United States government?

Aliens conspiring to undermine the US government and the rule of law should be declared persona non grata.

[bcsco]

This is a ping list promoting Immigration Enforcement and Congressional Reform.
If you wish to be added or removed from this ping list, please contact me.

Another snowstorm coming tonight. This is getting old...

Anti-fence conference building unity among groups across U.S.

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Why the GOP Lost Voters Like Me (Geraldo Rivera on Immigration)

IRS tells 7-year-old boy he owes back taxes on $60,000

Habla Usted English, Mrs. Obama?

BUT MCCAIN COULD WOO THEM BACK

Immigrant Tuition Debate, Round 2[Connecticut][Illegals pay in-State Rate]

Bloomberg Praises McCain, Huckabee on Immigration

Campo Minutemen - Highway Clean up and 64 Apprehensions

Crash raises issues of fake IDs, immigration

Who is the other Alianiss Nunez Morales?

Illegal Immigrant Charged With Homicide in Deadly Minnesota School Bus Crash

Aid volunteer cited in littering (Illegal Immigrant-Aid that is.)

Nigeria: Nipost Intercepts 2,500 Fake Passports

Obama, Clinton would consider suspending immigration raids (...until amnesty passes)

Illegal Immigrant Charged In Fatal Bus Crash

Obama, Clinton Back Off Border-Fence Law [Barf Alert]

Rogue Gangs - Stopping School Gang Activity

U.S. Hiking Fines For Illegal Immigrant Hiring by 25 Percent

My Wife Became Legal and I Became Illegal

Secure the Border. Then What?

Cannon: Immigration fix is not the states' job

Serious Crime Levels Reaching New Heights in Central America

Memo to L.A. Times Editors: Illegal Immigration Is Illegal

Straight outta Compton-Urban flight from Los Angeles[Black Flight]

Administration toughening sanctions for companies that hire illegal immigrants (raises fines 25%)

Mayor Praises Republicans On Immigration (pro-illegal Bloomberg, New Yawk)

U.S. Says "Virtual Fence" on Border Ready For Use

Jetton: Lazy Missourians could learn from Mexicans

Crisis in Mexico Is Headed North

[wintertime]

But in a state with the third-largest immigrant population in the country - an estimated 3.5 million - these bills already face resistance from business and immigrant illegal alien advocacy groups.

There! Fixed that!

If we need more immigrants, then bring them here **legally**. Bring in the immigrants who have been patiently waiting in line!

And top leaders in state government are not showing much support, either. Gov. Charlie Crist and House Speaker Marco Rubio, who have been at odds on many issues, have shown no signs of pushing tougher immigration laws.

The nanosecond that the governor does push tougher immigration laws, he will be called a racist.

"The agriculture and construction and hospitality industries in Florida would collapse without undocumented immigrants," said Rep. David Rivera, a Republican from Miami and a close friend of Rubio. "The prospects for success for these types of proposals are dim."

If these industries need more workers they have a choice: Pay more for Americans to do the job, or push for more **legal** immigration.

[From One - Many]

watch out the legislature with vote to give the illegals guns and ammo, and amnesty....tell them to go out and kill Citizens, but you the illegals will have amnesty....wait a minute....is that not what the legislatures around this land are, by default, doing?

[From One - Many]

Watch out you are starting to recognize the truth. Your representatives will not be happy, for your representatives and mine are probably taking money to allow the deaths of U.S. Citizens by the illegals. Who said there’s a war on? There may be a war on, but the U.S. Citizens are the enemy and our representatives are aiding and abetting the enemy to kill the Citizens. Be careful, you are getting too close to the truth, by your observations.

[angkor]

Critics of the immigration bills say they would force businesses to increase wages and pay more for benefits, which would make it difficult for them to afford workers and raise prices for consumers.

yeesh

[ovrtaxt]

"Politicians that use this as a wedge issue, it's a loser," former Gov. Jeb Bush said of immigration in an October interview with The Hoover Institution, a Stanford University think tank.

"Wedge issue?" What happened to ILLEGAL?

Our own leaders don't even think in terms of abiding by the law. It's all about getting votes and money.

[angkor]

the hourly pay rate for unskilled construction laborers is down 40 to 60 percent since the late 70’s, when i used to do that during college summer breaks

we also had married guys with kids and mortgages supporting their families

[From One - Many]

ah...there's a war on...don't you want to lose?...like the people writing and spewing the garbage for illegals? What kind of a person are you? Don't you realize American Citizens should be killed by illegals? Our representatives do...that's why, by default, they are supporting the enemy. Come on people, get on board, the enemy needs your help to take our nation away from the Citizens. Our legislatures, all around this land have realized, the U.S. Citizens are the real enemy. Why can't we the Citizens just surrender. This is what our representatives, medico, the mid-east, our congress, our president want...why go against them?

may I answer that....We are Americans! You are with us, or you are with the enemy!....George...you listening?

[From One - Many]

I want to know how much money our representative are taking from the enemy to continue their farce. Yes Citizens, it is muslim money our representatives are taking. There is a vicious circle out there, Americans buy oil from muslims, muslims give money to politicians and media to keep the truth quiet and to promote an agenda. This is all a scam, and our own money is being used to destroy America by the muslims. Think the muslims and the illegals are not working together? The muslims have to have somewhere to hide, don’t they? What better place than, in a community, where everyone in the community is illegally here..... The enemy is winning and the enemy is right under our very nose, and our politicians continue to say, “You, gringo, smell nothing.”

[Tennessee Nana]

Except for a bill to prohibit the use of the term “illegal alien’’ in state documents,
______________________________________________

There was a woman in the FL Legislature who wanted to make it illegal to call illegals, illegals or illegal aliens...she cried over the word “alien”...This may be her Bill...

Alien only means that the person was born in another country and is present in the US..

Illegal means that presence is illegal...

By calling the illegal aliens the term “immigrant” which they are not, the lines are blurred, and the legal term denotes a sudden status that the invaders do not warrant..

REAL immigrants are waaaaaaaaaaaay past being tired of the hijacking of their legal status, and it’s time to voice our objextion...

About the finances...at least $10,000,000 comes from the American taxpayers...also the ACLU dont charge them for filing fraudulent law-suits...

Any given day the lobbyistys for the illegal aliens roam the halls of the US Sente, the US House and every state legislature...and have access to the individual offices of YOUR elected politicians..while there are few opposing opinions..

Like this in UT....

Hispanic Activisits Urging for Veto of Immigration Bill

Sunday, February 24, 2008

The bill would create obstacles for undocumented immigrants looking for housing and jobs.
SB81, sponsored by St. George Representative Sen. Bill Hickman, is awaiting final passage in the Senate.

Hispanics considered a Capitol Hill rally to voice their opposition to the bill, but after a meeting yesterday decided instead to encourage contacting individual lawmakers and an appeal to Gov. Jon Huntsman.

Utah’s Proyecto Latino director Tony Yapias says Huntsman understands the impact such pressure on Hispanics would have on the state’s economy.

http://www.kcsg.com/story.aspx?id=3613

I drive 5-6 hours round trip, once a week to Nashville...you would be pleasently surprised at the relieved reception you will get from the conservative state senators and state legislators...

if your own is a jerk ..there’s some there who arent...visit them all...the illegal alien lobbyist do...be sweet and smile at them all...make them your best friends..have a plan and some short talking points...

Dont swamp them with reams of paper...they dont have time to read all that old info...downloading something you havent bothered reading yourself is a waste of your time and theirs...

memorise your few statisics...you will look more professional amd that you know what you are talking about..during a vote give them one sheet with a few words ...have the Bill number ready when you talk to them..

When you speak about American victims of illegal aliens mention the name of some of the people who would still be alive if the law had been enforced..they are real people, not just numbers..Andrew Stear was a college student on spring break with some friends..He was killed in FL by an DUI illegal alien, who was driving a stolen van, and tried to flee after the accident..

It’s OUR government, not the playpen of the illegal aliens..

We need to take it back and use it..

[WildcatClan]

I am on the AFIRE ping list and I always check out these threads and I notice how many comments there are. It certainly isn’t scientific, but you get a good idea of the complacency and apathy on this issue.

As usual, people will find their passion in the 11th hour when the Congress tries to shove Amnesty down their throats again. It may be too late the next time. Why pass more laws when the existing laws aren’t enforced? Are we still a nation of laws or a globalist union of suggestions?

[Liz]

Call the Capital switchboard toll-free: 800-965-4701

MESSAGES TO LEGISLATORS
(1) Oppose the new 5-year amnesty bill.
(2) Oppose the $1.5 BILLION funding Mexico is seeking from Bush.

REFERENCE Mexico's President Calderon Headed to U.S.
newsmax | February 12, 2008 | Philip V. Brennan
Posted on 02/13/2008 By VU4G10

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who has has publicly stated his concern for the "growing harassment" and "frank persecution" of Mexicans in the United States, will make his first official visit to California Wednesday and will meet with immigrant leaders among others. Speaking to the Mexican government's migrant assistance agency in November, his comments about "persecution" appear to have been aimed at U.S. presidential candidates who voiced their desire to curb illegal immigration. He also expressed disappointment at Congress' inability to agree on an immigration reform measure. While in the Golden State, he will address the state Legislature and attend a private lunch meeting with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, and other officials. According to George Grayson, a government professor at the College of William and Mary in Virginia who specializes in Mexico, Calderon also is coming to the United States to apply political pressure on U.S. lawmakers. ---SNIP--Calderon wants his 1.4 billion in US taxpayer loot - no questions asked. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1969534/posts

=========================================

Five-year Amnesty Bill Under Discussion
NumbersUSA | 2/18/08 | N/A
Posted on 02/18/2008 by Kimberly GG

"Some House Democrats are having behind-the-scenes discussions about creating a special visa for illegal aliens they believe will enjoy considerable Republican support. Under the plan, illegal aliens who can prove they have jobs, pay a fine, and pass a criminal background heck will receive the gift of legal status for 5 years. The plan is designed to attract pro-business Republicans and those who backed the McCain-Kennedy amnesty bill by also increasing the number of visas issued for technical, temporary and agricultural workers."........(Excerpt) Read more at numbersusa.com ... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972338/posts

[BGHater]

Obvious at this point. America has no Nationalism anymore. Globalism is the name of the game. Nations are a thing of the past.

[longtermmemmory]

Don’t forget how many years ago Time magazine ran a front page cover story on the EVILS of nationalism?

The subject was about the EC blending into the EU but the implication toward global governance was the same.

[WildcatClan]

Great post, TN. There have been some conservatives who are saying the statistics put forth by Steve King are not even possible and Steve King needs to defend himself or admit he pulled the numbers out his posterior.

We must have confidence in the weapons we use in this fight. If we lose credibility, we will surely be labeled racist, xenophobic or any other number of descriptors to discredit us. We will likely be called those things anyway by certain elements, but if we can back up our words with facts, we will win.

If the following is accurate, we, the people need to see the sources and facts to back it up. I have to believe if this is accurate Americans would not need to see or know anything else to become motivated for secure borders and sending invaders back to their countries of origin:

[What would that May 1st look like without illegal immigration? There would be no one to smuggle across our southern border the heroin, marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines that plague the United States, reducing the U.S. supply of meth that day by 80%. The lives of 12 U.S. citizens would be saved who otherwise die a violent death at the hands of murderous illegal aliens each day. Another 13 Americans would survive who are otherwise killed each day by uninsured drunk driving illegals. Our hospital emergency rooms would not be flooded with everything from gunshot wounds, to anchor babies, to imported diseases to hangnails, giving American citizens the day off from standing in line behind illegals. Eight American children would not suffer the horror as a victim of a sex crime.]——Steve King

[Liz]

In one state, latinos got mad when a town applied for a $287,000 federal grant to train cops as immigration officers (enabling them to deport illegals arrested for criminal activities). Latinos promised action and it appears they’re delivering——Republicrats and even the Sheriff’s office are openly trying to block the grant.