Orr plans to reintroduce immigration legislation

By By Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
State Sen. Arthur Orr is again taking up the fight against illegal immigration in Alabama.
Orr, whose district includes Hartselle, is once again filing a package of bills designed to combat the illegal immigration that continues to plague Alabama and the rest of the nation. Each will be considered in the upcoming 2010 Regular Legislative Session scheduled to begin Jan.12.
"Illegal aliens must be stopped from abusing our tax dollars, bankrupting our healthcare system and straining our public schools and resources," Orr said. "Even at this difficult economic time with skyrocketing unemployment, Alabama Democrats continue to ignore an issue they campaigned upon last cycle. Those who have lost their jobs are joining other taxpayers in demanding immediate action on this issue, and it's time the leadership started listening."
Among the bills in the package is a measure that would require individuals to provide proof of lawful U.S. citizenship before accessing or receiving any public benefits. It also provides specific guidelines on how agencies may confirm citizenship, including the use of the E-Verify national citizenship database operated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.
Other provisions in the legislation require law enforcement officers to verify the citizenship of all those arrested on felony, DUI or drug charges and demand notification of the Homeland Security agency if lawful status cannot be confirmed.
Orr's public benefits bill was passed by the Senate in 2008 and is among the only pieces of legislation addressing illegal immigration to pass the upper chamber. It later died in the House.
Another proposal in the package requires any employer receiving economic development funding or incentives from the Alabama Development Office to document the legal status of all workers using the E-Verify system. Fines are imposed on those who do not comply or fail to confirm their employees' citizenship.
Because no state law currently addresses those who smuggle illegal immigrants into Alabama, Orr also calls for making human smuggling a crime. His bill would prevent what are commonly known as "coyotes" from operating in the state without great risk and severe punishment.
In addition to these bills, Orr said he will be co-sponsoring several other pieces of legislation sponsored by his fellow lawmakers and dealing with the illegal immigration issue.