Immigration Bill Would Bring Arizona-Style Law to PA.
Immigration bill would bring Arizona-style law to Pa.
Rep. Scott Perry supports a proposal that would give police the power the
check immigration status. An immigration lawyer said its overly simple.
Updated: 05/05/2010 12:43:28 AM EDT
A state representative proposed legislation Tuesday -- backed by several
local lawmakers -- that was inspired by a controversial law passed last
week in Arizona to combat illegal immigration.
If passed, the bill by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, would charge
local law enforcement with checking immigration status, investigating
businesses suspected of knowingly employing illegal immigrants and
requiring businesses to verify a potential employee's legal status.
businesses suspected of knowingly employing illegal immigrants and
requiring businesses to verify a potential employee's legal status.
The proposal came a day after state Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, introduced a bill in direct opposition to Arizona's law.
Rep. Scott Perry, R-Carroll Township, supports Metcalfe's effort and said he will likely join as bill co-sponsor.
The federal government has failed to enforce the nation's immigration
laws, Perry said, which is now forcing states to act because illegal
immigration fosters crime, lowers wages and puts an added burden on
taxpayers.
immigration fosters crime, lowers wages and puts an added burden on
taxpayers.
"What do we gain having cheaper tomatoes in the short term to sell out
our security and sovereignty in the long term?" Perry said.
Both Perry and Metcalfe said the proposal doesn't target any one ethnic or immigrant group.
José Colon, president of the board for the Centro Hispano José
Hernández, said much of York's Hispanic community agrees too many
illegal immigrants abuse the system. He said he supports people stopped
for violating the law having to prove who they are, saying it only
makes sense in an age of terror.
illegal immigrants abuse the system. He said he supports people stopped
for violating the law having to prove who they are, saying it only
makes sense in an age of terror.
But Colon said the necessary
immigration laws already exist, and the federal government needs to better enforce them. The federal governmentis more equipped to properly deal with the issue than states or
municipalities, he said.
Colon was also bothered by the rhetoric Metcalfe used introducing his
proposal, when he spoke of murders and rapists. The vast majority of
people here illegally came to work, Colon said, and it makes it harder
to have the serious, necessary discussion of the issue with such
inflamed rhetoric. And, he added, such talk could create friction
between the Hispanic community and others.
people here illegally came to work, Colon said, and it makes it harder
to have the serious, necessary discussion of the issue with such
inflamed rhetoric. And, he added, such talk could create friction
between the Hispanic community and others.
Craig Trebilcock, a local immigration attorney, said the federal government has failed to create a working immigration policy.
But Metcalfe's policy is "still ridiculous," Trebilcock said. "The
people pressing these laws don't understand how complex it is to
determine the immigration status of someone."
determine the immigration status of someone."
There are 42 types of visas, Trebilcock said, and that's before
counting those granted asylum and others. Local law enforcement, no
matter how well meaning, are not trained or equipped to become primary
immigration enforcement officers, Trebilcock said.
matter how well meaning, are not trained or equipped to become primary
immigration enforcement officers, Trebilcock said.
"You'll end up with a bunch of lawsuits," Trebilcock said. "A bunch of
municipalities getting sued because of the thousands of people getting
stopped, there's going to be a couple problems."
stopped, there's going to be a couple problems."
Instead, he said, the law will discourage legal immigrants -- doctors,
scientists, laborers, students -- that the country needs from every
coming here.
coming here.
About the bill
If passed, House Bill 2479, would:
Require an employer to verify a prospective employee's immigration status. Lying about immigration status would be a
second-degree misdemeanor.
Require a law enforcement officer to verify a person's immigration status if the officer reasonably suspects that a person
legally stopped, detained or arrested is in the country illegally. An
officer could not inquire about people's immigration status if they
were not first stopped for another offense.
officer could not inquire about people's immigration status if they
were not first stopped for another offense.
Require county district attorneys to investigate companies suspected of employing illegal immigrants. Companies caught knowingly
doing so could lose access to state grants and their licenses to
operate.
operate.
Create a third-degree felony for intentionally smuggling illegal aliens into Pennsylvania. Police would be able to impound
smugglers' vehicles.
According to the office of the bill's sponsor, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, Ron
Miller , R-Jacobus; Will Tallman, R-Reading Township, Adams County; and
Seth Grove , R-Dover Township, are co-sponsors. Rep. Scott Perry has
said he will likely also be a co-sponsor.
Seth Grove , R-Dover Township, are co-sponsors. Rep. Scott Perry has
said he will likely also be a co-sponsor.
Political outlook
In 2007, state Reps. Daryl Metcalfe and Scott Perry were part of a
group that introduced a series of bills that would have changed some of
Pennsylvania's immigration laws. Those never made it out of committee.
Pennsylvania's immigration laws. Those never made it out of committee.
Metcalfe said Tuesday his proposal has bipartisan support but is not
likely to receive much support from House Democratic leadership or Gov.
Ed Rendell. However, he said, with a budget fight looming and
representatives up for election in November, there could be an
opportunity to muster the political will necessary for passage.
Ed Rendell. However, he said, with a budget fight looming and
representatives up for election in November, there could be an
opportunity to muster the political will necessary for passage.
But Metcalfe's bill isn't the only piece of immigration legislation now in Harrisburg.
State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, introduced a proposal that would
reinforce current laws and, in the event of future changes to federal
law, stop local law enforcement to serve as immigration officers.
law, stop local law enforcement to serve as immigration officers.
"It is very important that we make it clear that Pennsylvania does not support racial profiling," Leach said..
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