Alting worries about 'perception' as illegal immigration bill passes
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Senate approved a contentious Arizona-style bill Tuesday that would crack down on illegal immigration. The Senate voted 31-18 for the bill, which contains penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and allows police officers to ask someone for proof of immigration status if they have a reasonable suspicion the person is in the country illegally.
Tuesday's vote was an emotional one for some lawmakers.
Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, said he prays to God that his vote for the bill was the right thing to do. He said he was raised to be tolerant of others and hopes the bill does not hurt tourism if out-of-state groups now see Indiana in a different light.
"The perception is we're bigots. The perception is we hate minorities of different colors," he said. "That's untrue ... but it is about perception. What will the perception of the great state of Indiana be?"
Sen. Mike Young, R-Indianapolis, said he'd rather be known for upholding the law rather than turning a blind eye to illegal immigration.
The bill was proposed by Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, but Delph was not present to vote on his own proposal Tuesday because he was taking the bar exam. But he said in a statement that he'll continue to work to ensure that Indiana "will no longer be a sanctuary for people who are in our state and country illegally."
"It's time that we put an end to 'press one for English and two for Spanish' in our state," Delph said.
The bill now moves to the Republican-led House for consideration.
http://www.jconline.com/article/2011...on-bill-passes
Indiana lawmakers pass immigration curbs like Arizona
The Indiana senate passed a sweeping immigration bill that echoes Arizona's tougher measures on illegal immigrants and despite opposition from some of the largest employers and business groups in the state.
The measure, passed on Tuesday night by a vote of 31-18, would allow state and local police to ask a person stopped for infractions like traffic violations for proof of legal residency if the officer has a "reasonable suspicion" they may be in the country illegally.
Another provision would call for, with some exceptions, the use of English only in public meetings, on Web sites and in documents.
The bill still needs to be adopted by state's House of Representatives, where opponents say they will now turn.
The vote "was a key step in the legislative process," the bill's author Sen. Mike Delph said in a statement, adding that the bill will "send a clear message that Indiana will no longer be a sanctuary for people who are in our state and country illegally because of our federal government's failure to act on illegal immigration."
Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce officials say the measure would have a chilling effect on business, particularly convention business.
"It will have a negative economic impact on the state of Indiana," Chamber Public Policy Director Angela Smith-Jones said, adding that immigration issues should be handled on the federal level.
The Chamber feels it has a good chance of lobbying enough House members to block the bill, Smith-Jones said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...71M5HN20110223
Ind. Senate Passes Immigration Reform
A crackdown on illegal immigrants has been passed by the Indiana Senate despite the objections of officials such as Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller.
Senate Bill 590, authored by Sen. Mike Delph (R-Carmel), received 31 ayes and 18 nays Tuesday. It now heads to the Indiana House of Representatives.
Sen. Johnny Nugent (R-Lawrenceburg) was among those voting in favor of the bill.
The measure is similar to one passed in Arizona, which would have local police enforcing federal immigration law. Officers would be allowed to ask a person for proof of their immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion that they are in the country illegally.
The Indianapolis Star reports some businesses have already heard from conventions, prospective employees and conferences who said if the measure becomes law they will not come to the state.
On Monday, the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns joined a compact against SB 590, stating enforcing immigration law is a federal issue that the state should stay out of. The association’s board members voted to join the compact.
More than 460 municipalities around the state are members of the association, including many in southeast Indiana.
Governor Mitch Daniels has been mum on the issue. The governor has been rumored as a possible GOP candidate to run for president in 2012 and critics say he needs to tell which side of the immigration argument he is on.