Second, it is important for us, as a nation, to recognize and appreciate those who have immigrated to our country and have followed the law. There are many who have left their homeland and have embraced our nation as their home. We cannot simply look at someone and assume they are illegal. These law abiding citizens pay their taxes. They work. They contribute to our culture. They even fight in our armed forces . They deserve our hand in friendship.
Nevertheless, we must establish rules and standards for immigration for national security, for fiscal responsibility, and for our national sovereignty. Illegal immigration is an issue that both legal immigrants and natural-born citizens want addressed. The liberally controlled Federal government has done little to nothing to curb illegal immigration, other than attempt to force amnesty upon us. The state of Missouri is taking action.
As co-author of HB 1549, the Illegal Immigration Bill I hit the ground running in February and took action.
This legislation includes several provisions designed to curb
illegal immigrants from being employed in the state and to prevent
those here illegally from receiving taxpayer funded benefits and
services.
One provision of the bill cracks down on employers who knowingly
hire illegal immigrants. The legislation makes it clear that Missouri
employers are barred from hiring illegal immigrants and creates
penalties that could result in the loss of a permit or license
if an employer knowingly hires someone living here illegally.
Under the bill, public employers, including state and local governments,
are required to participate in a federal work authorization program
such as the E-Verify federal database that checks immigration
status. Participation in such a program is also required for businesses
that have a government contract worth more than $5,000 or that
receive state loans or tax breaks.
Private businesses are not required to use the database, but can
do so in order to provide a defense against allegations of knowingly
hiring an illegal immigrant. Employers who don't participate in
a work authorization program would have to start using one if
they are found knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.
The legislation requires people to prove they are U.S. citizens
or are legally in the country when applying for food stamps, housing
or other taxpayer funded social services.
The bill also allows law enforcement officers to check the immigration
status of anyone arrested or detained in Missouri and denies bail
for jailed individuals who cannot prove legal residency. The Missouri
State Highway Patrol will also receive training to enforce state
and federal immigration laws.
Also included in the bill are provisions that prohibit: communities
from adopting sanctuary policies that provide safe harbor to illegal
immigrants; bar individuals from transporting or harboring unlawful
immigrants; require written tests for commercial licenses to be
administered in English only and, provide penalties for individuals
who assist illegal immigrants in obtaining drivers licenses in
a fraudulent manner.
We welcome all nationalities and those who have taken the proper
steps to make America their home. We urge those who are here illegally
to do the right thing, follow the law, and find freedom in the
American dream.
I am very proud that I have already passed my first piece of legislation.
This legislation is only a step in the right direction, more must be done.
I campaigned for the special election in February on a platform of curbing illegal immigration. I believe we have made progress.I sponsored legislation, HB 2564, which mirrors legislation in Oklahoma last year that encouraged 26,000 illegal immigrants to leave Oklahoma City before the law went into effect.
Jobs, social services, welfare, food stamps, etc. are all "magnets" that draw illegal immigrants to our State. Remove the magnets and the attraction no longer exists.
No mass deportation is needed.
Click the link above concerning HB 2564, read it, and know for a fact that I am the only candidate in this race taking this problem seriously.
More must be done! I hope that you will join me in these efforts! Please become a member of Team Parkinson and together, we can move Missouri forward.
"Freshman Legislator of the Year" (for dealing effectively with the illegal immigration issue) |
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Presented by Speaker of the House, Rod
Jetton |