2 legislators say state can fight illegal aliens
1:35 PM Mon, Jan 29, 2007 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE -- Citing a failure to address illegal immigration at the federal level, two members of the General Assembly plan to submit legislation this week to discourage illegal aliens from coming to Rhode Island. "We decided that Rhode Island could serve as a model state in the northeast for implementing this system," says Rep. Jon D. Brien, D-Woonsocket, who said the bill would require all Rhode Island employers to verify the citizenship status of new hires with the Department of Homeland Security over the Internet. Sen. Marc A. Cote, D-Woonsocket, plans to introduce identical legislation in the Senate. The Rhode Island bill would mirror legislation recently approved by the Colorado legislature, which depends on a federal database known as the Federal Basic Employment Verification Pilot Program. Employers generally can determine a workers' status on the Web-based system in about 5 seconds.
"You need a computer and an Internet connection, that's it," Brien said. "I don't think that's too burdensome." If approved, the bill would take effect in July 2009 and apply only to new employees. An employer who learns an employee is an illegal alien and refuses to fire him or her would be subject to a $50 per day penalty for violating the law. Brien said the bill should have broad appeal among lawmakers. "I don’t think that there’s a legislator out there that could properly defend those who refuse to comply with the United States' immigration laws," he said. Nor is Brien worried about doing political damage to his party, which generally draws support from the immigrant community. "I’m not worried about alienating immigrants – I don’t care if your from Ireland, Chechnya, or Honduras. If you’ve done what you are supposed to do this bill doesn’t apply to you," he said. 
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I agree with the illegal immigration bills. We have to stop illegal entry into this country before it is too late.
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