Education isn’t the only issue this session that has called for hours of public testimony and long debates. Senate Bill 590, legislation to address illegal immigration in Indiana, was a close match.
This legislation is not cut and dry, it includes many different aspects, to cover every issue, close any possible loophole and prevent any future problems. But, more importantly, the bill addresses an issue that needed to be addressed. The federal government has failed miserably at one its most important duties,securing our borders. It is time for Indiana to step in and take care of itself.
Other states have stepped up over the years to pass immigration reform on the state level in the absence of federal action. Every state that met in regular session in 2010 considered laws related to illegal immigration. As a result, 46 state legislatures and the District of Columbia enacted 208 laws and adopted 138 resolutions during the 2010 session.
What we are proposing here in Indiana, is what I consider to be fair and appropriate. To start, the bill would require state agencies to use a program that has been approved by the U.S. or State Department of Homeland Security to verify the work eligibility status of employees hired after June 30, 2011.
State agencies would also be required to verify the eligibility of any individual who is at least 18 years old that is applying for a federal, state or local public benefit. In addition, if an individual applies for unemployment benefits, Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development would have to use E-verify to confirm their legal status before providing benefits.
Local governments would also be effected since the bill would prohibit state agencies or political subdivisions from entering into or renewing a public contract with a contractor unless it contains provisions requiring a contractor to verify the legal status of newly hired employees. The contractor could also sign an affidavit affirming that they do not knowingly employ unauthorized aliens. Now, saying that, a contract can be terminated if the contractor knowingly employs an unauthorized alien.
Additionally, if someone willingly transports or conceals an alien for the purpose of private financial gain, knowing that the alien has entered the U.S. in violation of law, they will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
As I said, there are many different aspects to this billand I only mentioned a few. Please keep in mind, more than 110,000 unauthorized immigrants resided in Indiana as of 2010. Without enacting legislation now, we will be facing an even bigger problem later.
Understand that I wholeheartedly support people from all over the world coming to this country and our state to create a better life for themselves and for their families. However, I can’t sit by and watch as they do it illegally and at the expense of all Hoosier taxpayers.
We approached this situation as fair as we could to address the problem and not create any potential issues in the future.
I co-sponsored Senate Bill 590, which passed the House on Thursday with a 64-32 vote. It passed out of the Senate earlier this month with a 31-18 vote. It now heads to the governor’s desk.
I encourage you to stay in the conversation, you can go online and get a full digest of the bill. You can always email or call me if you have any questions or comments, I always look forward to hearing from you.
