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Waterman: Illegal Immigration Bill has first hearing in House

State Senator John Waterman

      200 West Washington Street – Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE                                                             2.13.08

 

Contact: Carrie Zapfe

317-232-7184

czapfe@iga.state.in.us

 

                                                                                                               

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        

 

Waterman: Illegal Immigration Bill has first hearing in House

 

(STATEHOUSE) – Legislation to crack down on businesses employing illegal immigrants received its first hearing today in the House Public Policy Committee. Senate Bill 335, co-authored by Sen. John Waterman (R-Shelburn), is aimed at addressing those who harbor, transport or employ illegal immigrants.

 

The bill passed the full Senate by a vote of 37-11 last month.

 

“Unfortunately the federal government is either incapable or unwilling to enforce our nation’s immigration laws,” Waterman said. “Because the problem is growing day by day, states like Indiana are being forced to step in and take control of the situation. I wholeheartedly support this bill, as I know many of my constituents do, and I hope it receives a fair hearing in the House of Representatives.

 

SB 335 targets employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants in Indiana by allowing the attorney general’s office and local prosecutors to investigate written complaints of such practices. An employer is who is found to have violated the law would be punished based on a three-tier system:

1.       the employers first offense would be a warning;

2.       if they have a second offense in a ten-year span, the court could suspend their license to do business in Indiana; and

3.       if they then have a third offense in a ten-year span, the court could revoke their license to do business in Indiana.

 

Waterman’s bill includes language that provides immunity for businesses in Indiana who verify the status of their employees through the federal employment verification pilot program, E-Verify.

 

SB 335 also makes it a Class A misdemeanor for anyone who is found guilty of transporting, shielding from detection, concealing or harboring an illegal alien for commercial or financial gain. The bill provides exemptions for medical services, religious organizations, attorneys and the parent, spouse or children of the illegal immigrants.

Discussions concerning SB 335 will continue next week in the House Public Policy Committee.

Waterman serves Senate District 39, which includes Clay, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Owen, Sullivan and Vigo Counties.