Health care costs are finally falling
In May, health care costs fell for the first time in almost four decades, the Wall Street Journal reports. Read more at Counterparties
Reuters Photojournalism
Our day's top images, in-depth photo essays and offbeat slices of life. See the best of Reuters photography. See more | Photo caption
The Afghan Army
The many faces of the Afghan National Army, which has taken over security of the country from NATO. Slideshow
Sponsored Links
Alabama nears final approval of immigration crackdown
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley speaks during a news conference at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama February 24, 2011.
Credit: Reuters/ Lyle W. Ratliff
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama |
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters)- Following in the footsteps of the Alabama House of Representatives, the state Senate on Thursday passed a measure to crackdown on illegal immigration, bringing the measure close to becoming law.
If minor differences between versions of the bill are ironed out and Republican Governor Robert Bentley signs it, Alabama would join a handful of states enacting major immigration legislation this year.
The Alabama law is similar to an Arizona measure that stirred national controversy and was blocked in the courts. Like Arizona, Alabama state and local police would have broad powers to check the immigration status of people detained on other charges.
Under the Alabama legislation harboring, concealing, transporting or employing illegal immigrants would be against the law and any employer doing business with the state will be required to check the legal status of workers.
The bill passed the Senate by a 26 to 6 vote.
"This bill is about job creation to ensure that Alabamians who want a job will get a job and won't be denied in lieu of an illegal immigrant or fired to hire an illegal immigrant," said bill sponsor, Republican Senator Scott Beason.
The bill extends into housing issues, requiring landlords to refuse rentals or even evict people who are found to be illegal immigrants.
"Lots of people will be instantly homeless because landlords who rent to illegals will become felons," said Helen Rivas, a civil rights advocate.
Rights groups are concerned that it would lead to racial profiling in the state, which has a long history of civil rights violations, and infringe the federal government's duty to enforce immigration laws.
Under the bill, the children of illegal immigrants could be restricted from participating in extracurricular activities at school and from benefiting from in-state college tuition.
The bill returns to the House to be approved, amended or merged with the House bill passed last week, and then goes to the governor.
In the absence of federal immigration reform, a few states have followed Arizona in enacting immigration laws. Utah passed sweeping immigration legislation this year and an immigration measure is awaiting the signature of Georgia's Republican governor. Proposals are moving through the legislatures of several other states.
(Editing by Greg McCune)
- Tweet this
- Link this
- Share this
- Digg this
- Reprints
Let’s not forget that this is a country of immigrants.
When the first “pioneers” came here, they were essentially illegal immigrants.
So, folks, let’s go easy on this!
GAO: only 129 miles of the 2,000 mile Southwest Border
are under “full control” of the Border Patrol
http://fxn.ws/fslc3e
UNITED STATES BORDER APPREHENSIONS
Fiscal Year (Source DHS/CBP)
1987–1,190,488—-1997–1,412,953—-2007—876,704
1988–1,008,145—-1998–1,555,776—-2008—723,825
1989—-954,243—-1999–1,579,010—-2009—556,041
1990–1,169,939—-2000–1,676,438—-2010—463,382
1991–1,197,875—-2001–1,266,213—-2011—
1992–1,258,482—-2002—-955,310—-2012—
1993–1,327,259—-2003—-931,557—-2013—
1994–1,094,717—-2004–1,160,395—-2014—
1995–1,394,554—-2005–1,189,075—-2015—
1996–1,649,986—-2006–1,089,902—-2016—
In the 24 years, since the 1986 Reagan, one-time amnesty,
http://n.pr/9IMtLO
over 28 million illegals were apprehended
after they crossed our border.
http://bit.ly/bylG5z
Over 100 million illegals weren’t apprehended
Before the recent addition (over the last 3 years) of:
10,000 Border Patrol agents,
313.9 miles of Pedestrian Fence,
32 miles of the legislated double-layered fence,
and 298.5 miles of Vehicle Barriers,
it was estimated, by the border patrol agents,
that less than 1, out of 7, illegals, were apprehended at the border.
Some agents even said less than 1, out of 10, were apprehended.
Now, the Border Patrol thinks they apprehend somewhere between
1, out of 3 and, 1 out of 5. but nobody really knows..
However, we do know that the reported 11.2 million illegals in our
United States is a lie being told, over, and over again, to all Americans
30 million illegals, in our United States, is much more likely
Follow Reuters