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 Post subject: IndyStar: Group Decries Immigration Bill
PostPosted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 10:55 pm 
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http://www.indystar.com/article/2011011 ... dyStar.com

Group decries immigration bill
Hispanic caucus says the measure, if passed, may encourage profiling


Jan 16, 2011 | 77Comments

Written by
Bill McCleery

A bill intended to crack down on illegal immigration in Indiana could "escalate the kind of rhetoric that we can link directly to . . . sad events" such as the recent killings in Arizona, the president of the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus said Saturday.

"Senator (Mike) Delph is trying to do what he thinks is best," the group's president, Pedro Roman, said Saturday in announcing the caucus' opposition to the proposed legislation. "He's a good man of good will, I have no doubt, but we do need to be careful about escalating this kind of rhetoric."

Delph, R-Carmel, took exception to Roman's suggestion that his proposal might stir hatred or incivility.

"The senseless tragedy in Arizona was at the hands of a deranged lunatic," Delph said. "To try to bring that tragedy into a legitimate debate on public policy is both offensive and absurd."

Delph's proposal would require local police, any time they stop someone for a violation, to ask for proof of legal residency if they have reasonable suspicion that a person is not a citizen or legal visitor. It would instruct police to follow procedures "without regard to race, religion, gender, ethnicity or national origin."

The bill also would increase investigative actions and toughen penalties against businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. In addition, it would require that more government functions be carried out only in English, reducing the numbers of forms, Web sites and documents offered in different languages.

Members of the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus oppose Delph's proposal, Roman said, because they think it would result in ethnic profiling, despite Delph's attempts to insert language forbidding discriminatory practices. In addition, Roman said, they think it would have the effect of discouraging even legal immigrants from living in Indiana and contributing to the state's economy.

"When we start going after immigrants and considering their language or accent or physical appearance as probable cause (to believe a crime has been committed), then we invite people to leave," he said. "That could have bad consequences for the state of Indiana."

Roman said immigration is a matter best left to Congress and other federal authorities.

"Our local and state law enforcement agencies have enough to deal with," he said. "They are overwhelmed with just providing safety for all of us."

Roman, a native of Spain who has lived in Indiana since 1999, said he is not advocating ignoring problems associated with illegal immigration.

"We do have a problem with immigration," he said. "But the place for it to be resolved is the Congress of the United States."

Delph said he finds Roman's arguments unpersuasive.

"All these things you'll hear -- that it's a federal issue or that the law would be too burdensome on police -- these are all just excuses," he said. "Everyone always wants to try to make excuses for why the status quo is acceptable."

In addition, Delph said, "the business community that's going to oppose (the bill) is opposing it because they're making money off the exploitation of cheap labor."

Delph anticipates the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor will hear public comments on his bill at 9 a.m. Feb. 2. The hearing location has not been finalized.

"I would encourage people to come testify," he said.

Roman said members of the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus plan to be there.

Call Star reporter Bill McCleery at (317) 444-6083.


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