Courier-Journal - Ky. Senate passes crackdown on illegal immigrant
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News » Nation
Ky. Senate passes crackdown on illegal
immigrants
Posted 1/7/2011 5:20 PM ET E-mail| Save | Print
By Bruce Schreiner, Associated Press
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky senators voted Friday to enlist law enforcement in a stepped-up fight against illegal
immigration by passing a bill that would give police broad authority to check the immigration status of people they
stop.
Critics said the bill is tougher than a similar Arizona immigration law that has drawn boycotts and legal challenges,
and they warned it would strain crowded Kentucky jails and prisons at enormous expense.
‘The measure cleared the Kentucky Senate on a 24-14 vote alter supporters said it would signal the state's
willingness to combat the influx of illegal immigrants. They argued illegal immigrants sap government services and
ignore the rule of law.
‘The bill was among the top priorities of Republicans who run the Senate.
"Does Kentucky want to be a sanctuary for illegals?" said Sen. Tom Jensen, R-London. "What this bill really does is
it sends a message ... that we do not tolerate people coming into this county illegally. They should come into this
country legally. My grandparents dig.”
‘The bill now heads to the Democratic-led state House, where its fate is uncertain,
The measure would allow Kentucky law enforcement officers to determine the immigration status of someone who
is stopped for another reason, such as a traffic offense, and who is suspected of being an illegal immigrant.
The proposal also would allow police to arrest illegal immigrants on trespassing charges for setting foot in
Kentucky.
‘Supporters voiced frustration with the federal government's inability to stop the ongoing tide of illegal immigration
and said Kentucky should take the initiative.
"People that come (into this country), we ought to expect them to be proud to be Americans, and they've got to
follow the law," Jensen said. "We expect it of Americans. Why wouldn't we expect it of illegals in here?”
Sen. Jetty Rhoads, D-Madionsville, agreed that illegal immigration is a pressing problem, but warned that with such
a response, "are we going to create another crisis? Are we going to exacerbate our current fiscal crisis?”
He warned the bill would put a greater burden on crowded jails and prisons at great expense to the state and local
governments,
Sen. John Schickel, the bill's sponsor, said state and local law enforcement would have the leeway to transport an.
illegal immigrant to federal authorities “without ever going to a county jail, without ever even going to a police
station.”
Rhoads also said law enforcement officers already have the authority to check someone's legal status.
"When you're stopped for speeding, what's the first thing that's checked? Your ID, who are you, where are you
from, where do you live, what is your status. We don't need another law to authorize our peace officers to check
De
‘The legislation is Senate Bill 6
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed.
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