Posted on 05/02/2010 5:52:15 PM PDT by Born Conservative
Arizona's new immigration law may get a hearing in Pennsylvania.
State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, on Tuesday plans to introduce an immigration bill modeled on the law in Arizona.
The Arizona law allows police to investigate the immigration status of people whom they suspect lack permission to live in the United States. Harboring illegal immigrants or impeding traffic while stopping to give a ride to day laborers are prohibited. If the state and local governments fail to enforce the law, Arizona residents can sue them.
State Sen. David Argall, R-Tamaqua, thinks Arizona's law is headed for a constitutional challenge. But in Pennsylvania he thinks there is "considerable support to do something to tighten our immigration policy."
"Many people believe the federal government has failed on that front," Argall said.
Four years ago, the Pennsylvania Legislature enacted a law that strips state funding from projects for which companies knowingly employ illegal immigrants. Former state Rep. Bob Allen of Pottsville sponsored the legislation after immigration officials raided a warehouse under construction in Schuylkill County.
"I don't believe anyone has ever challenged our right to do that," Argall said.
State Sen. Raphael Musto, D-Pittston Township, doesn't know how Pennsylvania's lawmakers would vote on a proposal like Arizona's law.
"I do know what Arizona is doing. Arizona wants to drive attention to the problem for the whole nation, and it is a big problem. No question about it. All the social agencies, the hospitals, the schools - they're breaking," Musto said. "What Arizona is telling the world is … what the problems really are. We experienced that in Hazleton for a number of years."
House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, who represents Hazleton, said an Arizona-style law would add duties to understaffed state and local police.
Recently, 400 Pennsylvania State Police troopers retired, he said, and the class of new recruits has 100 instead of 200 because of budget woes.
Shifting the job of immigration enforcement to state and local police, Eachus said, would squeeze state taxpayers.
"I don't know what's in the water in Arizona, but our taxpayers aren't going to drink it," he said.
I have had the pleasure of being a speaker there for the last 2 years. It is a very good, very well attended event. I have the utmost respect for Rep. Metcalfe and his staff.
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