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LOUISVIL KENTUCKY + SOUTHERN INDIANA
December 29, 2010
Senator David Williams unveils immigration reform bill
By Stephenie Steitzer
ssteitzer@courier-journal.com
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, on Wednesday unveiled his
proposal for immigration reform, which mirrors the Arizona immigration law that is being challenged in a
federal appeals court.
Williams, who is running for governor next year, wants to require local law enforcement to check a
person's immigration status while enforcing other laws.
A federal judge in July blocked Arizona from enforcing such a provision after the federal government
sued the state. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last month heard arguments in the case but has not
ruled. The law is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Williams’ office released copies of Senate Bill 6 late Wednesday and did not respond to requests for
comment.
As is the case with Arizona's law, Williams’ bill would allow police to detain people they reasonably
suspect are in the country without authorization and check their status with federal officials.
Proponents of the measure say states must act to enforce immigration laws because the federal
government has failed to do so.
Opponents argue it would lead to harassment of Hispanics and violate the U.S. Constitution, which
guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
A 2009 report by the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center estimates there are 30,000 illegal
immigrants in the state.
Rev. Patrick Delahanty, associate director of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, said he wants to
see a comprehensive analysis of how much the bill would cost already cash-strapped prisons, jails,
courts and law enforcement agencies.
In addition, he said, because the bill would likely be challenged in court by civil rights groups, the state
could incur thousands or millions of dollars in legal fees defending the measure.
“This is not the answer to the immigration problem, and in fact it's just harmful,” he said.
Delahanty said the bill could have other unintended consequences, such as scaring crime witnesses
and domestic violence victims away from cooperating with authorities. And, he said, it could hurt the
horse and tobacco industries by driving away migrant workers who may be here legally but fear being
harassed.
Williams said he plans to have the Senate vote on the immigration bill and others when the legislature
convenes next week.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said Wednesday he believes law enforcement already
has the authority to ask about a person's immigration status.
He said he supports an effort by Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, to prohibit private companies from
receiving government contracts if they are convicted of employing illegal immigrants.
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Damron's bill passed the House last session but died in the Senate.
“If you really want to solve the immigration issue, then you make the burden on the employers,”
Stumbo said.
Reporter Stephenie Steitzer can be reached at (502) 875-5136.
Reporter Tom Loftus contributed to this report.
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