"We are opposed to importing Arizona's discriminatory 'show us your papers' law to Pennsylvania. Such a law leads inevitably to racial profiling and harassment – something neither the state, nor our law enforcement, should take part in. Instead, we should focus on commonsense remedies to worker exploitation such as stronger enforcement of wage and labor laws. Most employers do the right thing, and we must make clear that those who shortchange their employees will pay the price. If we do that, we can eliminate much of the draw for undocumented immigrants while also protecting citizens and legal immigrants.
"At a time when the state budget and local budgets are already stretched due to the nationwide recession, Pennsylvania should not take on the federal responsibility of enforcing immigration law or mandate that struggling local governments do so, and we should not spend money to defend an indefensible law against a constitutional challenge that we would deservedly lose. Instead, we call on President Obama and Congress to act quickly on comprehensive immigration reform."
READSHAW URGES NEW LOOK AT CUTTING COST OF ILLEGALS
US State News
April 8, 2010
HARRISBURG, PA
Pennsylvania State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny (36th District) issued the following news release:
With the plan to toll Interstate 80 rejected by the federal government, state Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, today said it is imperative for Gov. Rendell and the legislature to take a new look at the cost savings included in his legislation that will prohibit all illegal aliens from receiving state benefits.
"While the I-80 toll proposal involved projected revenues for transportation maintenance and improvements, the rejection adds to the size of the gap between what money is available and vital projects and services," said Readshaw.
The administration and the General Assembly must examine every means to gain revenues and cut expenses, and I believe the impact on state funds by illegal immigrants should be in that mix."
Readshaw cited an article in the Greensburg Tribune-Review last Aug. 14 in which Daniel Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, an organization seeking immigration reform, charged that Pennsylvania is spending nearly $750 million on illegal immigrants annually.
Currently on its Web site, FAIR estimates that "in 2004, the taxpayers of Pennsylvania spent $239.8 million on illegal aliens and their children in public schools."
"Granted, the organization is decidedly anti-immigration and has an obvious conservative spin, but if they are only 50-percent accurate on their figures, that's still a big chunk of Pennsylvania taxpayer money," Readshaw said.
"In the scramble to scrape together a responsible budget for the coming fiscal year, I don't see how the governor or the General Assembly can ignore such a drain on state coffers."
Readshaw's proposal (H.B. 1184) would mandate anyone requesting public benefits, such as cash assistance, Medicaid or in-state college tuition assistance, to submit proof and sign an affidavit testifying that he or she is a citizen of the United States or an alien living in the country legally.
Applicants will have to provide legal U.S. identification and proof of residency.
The provisions of Readshaw's bill will:
* require public agencies to determine if people seeking benefits are lawfully in the country, but would only exempt children up to age 14.
* require public employers and companies contracting with public employers to use electronic measures to verify any person's eligibility for employment.
* make it a felony to knowingly transport or harbor illegal immigrants.
* authorize the state attorney general to reach an accord with the federal government to permit state and local law enforcement officers to assume certain federal immigration enforcement responsibilities.
* prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving any higher education financial assistance and scholarships, but would allow students to attend at an in-state tuition rate.
* mandate that prisons verify the immigration status of all people arrested on drunken-driving or felony charges.
* prohibit the issuance of official identification cards to citizens, nationals and legal permanent residents except for driver's licenses and school identification cards.
Readshaw said a 2008 Mansfield University survey showed Pennsylvanians want the state to exert authority where the federal government has failed to adequately enforce immigration laws.
The survey found 84 percent of Pennsylvanians favored the state enforcing federal immigration laws that aren't currently being enforced, and nearly 82 percent believe that anyone receiving state benefits other than emergency medical care should have to show proof of U.S. citizenship.
Readshaw added that in February 2008, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, in a visit to the Luzerne County jail, was told by local officials that it was badly overcrowded, and more than a significant number of the inmates were illegal aliens.
Specter is reported to have told the county officials that the rate of recidivism is extremely high for convicted illegal immigrants, worsening the problem of prison and jail overcrowding.
He stated that law enforcement officials are hampered in determining whether people they arrest are illegal immigrants.
Even if they do, they do not have the resources to deport illegal alien prisoners whose native countries often refuse to accept them.
Last April, the state Senate passed legislation similar to Readshaw's proposal by a 41-9 vote, but the bill has not moved in the House, where Readshaw's bill remains before the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
"Enactment of my legislation or the Senate bill should be a no-brainer," Readshaw asserted.
"The benefits for the lawful residents of Pennsylvania are obvious and should be sufficient to compel us to enactment."