State Lawmakers Unveil Immigration Reform Legislation

(SALEM) - A package of 10 immigration reform bills was unveiled Friday on the steps of the State Capitol.

“We decided to call this legislation the Sensible Immigration Reform Package because it offers common sense ways to preserve some of the core principles of our democracy: public safety, economic development and recognizing we are a nation of immigrants,” said State Representative Linda Flores (R-Clackamas).

Representatives Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) and Flores have been drafting these bills for months and asked the House Speaker to form a special committee to take a serious look at these reforms.

“But that didn’t happen so there’s a good chance these bills will be scattered into different committees and swept under the rug,” said Thatcher.

“Don’t let that happen. We need your help to keep up the pressure. Let your legislators know immigration reform is important to you.”

House Republican Leader Wayne Scott (R-Canby) told the crowd, “their package is a wake-up call to the Governor and many in the House and Senate who campaigned on this issue.”

VOTER REGISTRATION - Requires prospective voter registrants to provide proof of citizenship. HB 2681

STATE EMPLOYMENT FOR LEGAL RESIDENTS - Bars state from hiring or entering into contract with employer of illegal aliens HB 2682

POLICE TOOLS - Gives law enforcement in Oregon more latitude by repealing ORS 181.850 to give police more flexibility to detain violators of federal immigration laws. HB 2683

HUMAN TRAFFICKING - Creates crimes of slavery; & sexual slavery of a minor. HB 2684

STATE BENEFITS - Grants those here legally access to state benefits. Illegal immigrants would only be entitled to benefits currently allowed by federal law. HB 2686 REAL ID Brings Oregon into compliance with the Federal REAL ID Act. Proof of legal presence required for drivers’ license or ID card, as well as verification of identity, date of birth, address, and other related documents. HJR 20

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS - Directs State Employment Dept to participate in federal H2A Visa program for temporary agricultural employment. HJM 8

PRISON BEDS - Resolution requesting that the federal government fully reimburse the states for the cost of housing illegal immigrants in Oregon’s prison system. (Pending)

CONGRESSIONAL ACTION - Memorial to urge federal government to utilize laws to curb illegal immigration, and commend the contributions of lawful immigrants.

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Justin February 12, 2007 9:43 am (Pacific time)

Finally...some reforms that make sense!

ernie February 12, 2007 9:11 am (Pacific time)

Nice story dave, so when is this book coming out? You sound like an intelligent man, but apparently not updated on the changes. You cannot , ever, compare what you went through to get your greencard, immigration laws change very rapidly especially after 9/11. You actually has an easy way of acquiring that so shut up about your "torments and waits". Not all the people who come here are after citizenship, most just want to work and contribute in exchange for a better paying job. And please stop equating illegal/undocumented immigrants with terrorists, those are but a handful who where already captured after 9/11. The american government does not have to spend for processing the legalization documents, let the applicant pay for it. and "illegal alien invasion"??? i can tell you are a sci-fi fanatic. cant you use a more politically proper term?

eddie brown February 11, 2007 7:31 pm (Pacific time)

indeed...show me the front line. i am there.

Frank Goudy February 11, 2007 5:48 pm (Pacific time)

The above posting by Dave is so on target and so accurate that even I do not really have anything to add.

Dave February 11, 2007 4:33 pm (Pacific time)

Sorry. But most of you do not understand the implications behind the illegal alien invasion. It is unlikely that the 700 mile fence President Bush signed into law will ever get fully funded. Why the government isn't sealing the borders, because the no longer secret agenda to force the North American Peace and Prosperity Treaty is beginning to take shape without congressional oversight. Part of the obscene plan is free movement of cheap labor unhindered threw these United States. Also part of the plan is the huge undertaking of building this trans-Mex-Canadian super highway. Both parties are in collusion and all have been influenced by giant money from the Free-traders and Mega-Multinational corporations that have no loyalty to the American people. It will eventually mean mass immigration into this Nation, along with their extended families. It will mean a huge drain on government service, benefits to all American who only have this safety net to save them. It will further depress wages overturn the limited pension plans and living standards of the middle class. The Bilderbergers and ultimate wealthy have been planning this nightmare for years and I hope to God the US taxpayer doesn't fall into this trap. I'm am a relatively new American, who came from England. I followed the US Immigration law and no matter the torment--and there was torment, anxiety and stress and tons of paperwork--I got my Greencard. In 1986 I waved the stars and stripes and bore allegiance to this great land. Today I am fully assimilated and live by rules and laws of my adopted land. Whoever says there is unlimited amounts of land for the millions who would arrive here is a misnomer. Because already today the border States are having problems with portable water. Then there is the crush and decay in big cities that is caused by imported poverty. Our freeways are eroding, but our politicians think its okay to support the millions of foreign nationals that refuse to accept our laws. I have watched a once beautiful city of Los Angeles, explode outwards as more and more people crowd into this metropolis. The only people who are going to have paramount success in this tide of cheap impoverished people are the wealthy. Then again they don’t live in a big city or need to commute on the crowded highways with uninsured drivers. Their heli-shuttle drops down on to a giant corporate Walmart or Shell landing pad. Just as easily they are whisked away to some island property off the coast. However before anything like this will happen, their would be major uprising from patriotic politicians like Sen. Sessions. Then if this failed to halt this traitorous agreement, then I think the South would rise again as would the American People. German King George III tried to enforce taxation laws in 1776, then again he was swept back to the ocean in 1812. Somehow I do not think George Bush or his minions, plus his wealthy elites will ever force a North American merger on US Taxpayer, unless he gets the backing of the United Nations and China. Then it will be another Civil War that is likely to end in bloodshed.

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State Lawmakers Unveil Immigration Reform Legislation

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