Immigration

State Bills Proposed on Immigration

• Alabama Immigration Law - HB 56: The Alabama state legislature passed a controversial law requiring public schools to check students' immigration status, criminalizes giving an undocumented immigrant a ride, required employers to use E-Verify to check potential employees' status, and instructs police to check the immigration status of anyone they stop if they suspect the person of being an undocumented immigrant.

My Thoughts: In my opinion, the house bill that was passed in Alabama does not seem rational. It goes to extreme's by instructing the police to check he immigration status of anyone they stop if they suspect the person of being an undocumented immigrant. This part of the law would require everyone to carry their papers or passports with them at all time. Carrying around you passport or your papers with you at all times could prove to be hazardous, especially since they can easily be lost or stolen.

• Arizona State Immigration Laws - SB 1070: The Arizona state bill makes it illegal for unauthorized immigrants to solicit work in any public space; it also requires state and local law-enforcement officials to inquire about immigration status during and lawful stop, detention, or arrest. The state bill also makes it unlawful for any person to transport, move, conceal, harbor, or shield from detection any unauthorized immigrant if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the immigrant is in the United States illegally.

My Thoughts: In my opinion, the Arizona state bill is better than the Alabama house bill. The Arizona state bill is rational, and does not require immigrants to carry their papers, or passports with them at all times.

Voter Scorecard

House of Representatives 

YEAS:   85

    Armes              Fourkiller         McNiel             Roberts, D.        

    Banz               Glenn              McPeak             Roberts, S.        

    Bennett            Grau               Moore              Rousselot          

    Billy              Hall               Morgan             

    Blackwell          Hardin             Mulready           Sanders            

    Brumbaugh          Hickman            Murphey            Schwartz           

    Cannaday           Holland            Nelson             Sears              

    Casey              Hoskin             Newell             Shannon            

    Christian          Inman              Nollan             Stiles             

    Cockroft           Jackson            Ortega             Sullivan           

    Condit             Jordan             Osborn             Terrill            

    Coody              Joyner             Ownbey             Thomsen            

    Cooksey            Kern               Peters             Tibbs              

    Cox                Key                Peterson           Trebilcock         

    Dank               Kirby              Pittman            Vaughan            

    Denney             Kouplen            Proctor            Watson             

    Derby              Liebmann           Pruett             Wesselhoft         

    DeWitt             Lockhart           Quinn              Wright             

    Dorman             Martin, Sc.        Renegar            Mr.Speaker         

    Enns               Martin, St.        Reynolds           

    Farley             McCullough         Richardson         

    Faught             McDaniel, R.       Ritze              

NAYS:   7

    Hamilton           Scott              Shumate                  Williams           

    McDaniel, J.       Shelton            Virgin             

EXCUSED:   9

    Brown              McAffrey           Sherrer            

    Hilliard           Morrissette        Shoemake           

    Johnson            Roan               Walker             

Senate

YEAS:   37

    Aldridge          Burrage           Jolley            Shortey           

    Allen             Crain             Justice           Simpson           

    Anderson          David             Marlatt           Sparks            

    Ballenger         Ellis             Mazzei            Stanislawski      

    Barrington        Fields            Myers             Sykes             

    Bingman           Ford              Newberry          Treat             

    Branan            Garrison          Nichols           Wyrick            

    Brecheen          Halligan          Reynolds          

    Brinkley          Holt              Russell           

    Brown             Johnson, R.       Schulz           

NAYS:    8

    Bass              Eason Mc          Laster            Rice              

    Coates            Johnson, C.       Lerblance         Wilson            

EXCUSED:    3

Adelson           Ivester           Paddack 

Immigration Bills Around the U.S.

• Alabama- State Bill 256 and House Bill 56
• They require police to question the immigration status of anyone they reasonably suspect is in the country illegal.
• They make it a crime to knowingly house, give a ride to, rent to or employ an illegal immigrant.
• State Bill has been passed by the senate, but still needs House approval.
• House Bill 56 has been passed by the House, but still needs Senate approval.
•  Arizona- State Bill 1070
• Declares attrition through enforcement to be the official policy of state and local government agencies in Arizona.
• Provides that persons who present any federal, state or local identification documents that require verification of lawful status when issued are presumed to be lawfully present.
• Makes it illegal to transport, harbor, or encourage illegal aliens to remain in the United States if the driver knows or recklessly disregards that they are illegal (as under federal law). Provides exemptions for child care providers and first responders.
• Tennessee State Bill 1141 and House Bill 670
• Mandates every jailer in state to inspect the immigration documents of every person arrested.
• Requires city and country jails in the state to report any person who may be in violation of immigration laws to the U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement.
• House Bill 670 has been passed by both the House and the Senate, and it has been signed by Governor Phil Bredesen. 

Immigration Bills in Oklahoma

            

           Like many other states, Oklahoma has taken action and is addressing the nation wide issue of immigration. Oklahoma passed the House Bill 1446, and it has been passed in both the senate, and the house. The House Bill is similar to Arizona's State Bill 1070. The Oklahoma House Bill makes the smuggling of an alien unlawful. It allows local law enforcement to question people of their immigration status in certain circumstances; it also allows seizure of vehicles used in human trafficing. The house bill also makes it illegal for an alien to seek employment.


My Thoughts on Immigration

           In my opinion, I think that the U.S. politicians are over reacting on the issue of immigration. So far, the illegal immigrants have not posed a threat to the citizens of the United States. In fact, they have helped us in many ways, they take unwanted low-paying jobs, and have increased the diversity and are helping expand the culture of the country. A couple of centuries ago, piligrims were traveling from Europe to the Americas seeking a better life. This is exactly what they illegal immigrants are looking for. They do not pose any threat to the citizens of the United States, so I believe that the aliens are free to continue what they have been doing. 


Debate on Immigration                            

     Supporting Illegal Immigration                 Opposing Illegal Immigration

Immigrants often taken the low-paying jobs (like food service & hotel cleaning) that most Americans don't want to do at such low wages.	More immigrants means more opportunity for terrorists, drug dealers, and other criminals to enter the country.
It improves the overall image of American internationally, as it is seen as an open, welcoming country; and immigrants who return home or maintain contact with family back home have a true image of America, not the one propagandized in much of the international media.	The emigration to the United States hurts the home country, as much of the male population, workers, and top intellectuals often leave their country.
It gives struggling people all over the world an opportunity for a better life. This country was built on immigrants who sought opportunity, political & religious freedom, etc.	The national identity and language is disappearing. The great "melting pot" is being replaced by divisive multiculturism.
Adding an additional group of cheap labor adds to the flexibility of business, leading to cheaper prices, better quality products, and higher profits.	Less-skilled American citizens earn less money and have fewer job opportunities because they must compete with immigrants in the job market.
It increases the diversity and expands the culture of the country.