Pennsylvania Up Next for Immigration Reform?
One of the most heated issues of concern as of late throughout the country circulates around immigration reform. Ever since Arizona’s new illegal immigration law was approved, debate and protest has increased along with other states examining their own legislation. Within what appears to be somewhat of a tug-of-war over immigration reform, some officials believe that Pennsylvania will only be hurt by waiting for a national resolution to immigration matters. On the other hand, others firmly stand behind preventing any more states like Pennsylvania from having lawmakers act on federal issues of immigration.
A WFMZ article discusses various other matters relating to potential reform for immigrants residing in Pennsylvania. The article mentions that supporters of an immigration bill in PA would like to see it made a crime for illegal immigrants to be discovered without proper documentation. However, those in opposition of this approach believe that illegal immigrants should not simply be tossed out of the state. Based on the article, the executive director for the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs stated that the governor noted that any bill which is unconstitutional will not be approved.
Additional discussion of immigration reform is addressed in a York Dispatch report in which PA’s immigration reform proposal would also require proof of citizenship for an individual to receive financial aid, housing, and food stamps. Any employer found to have illegal immigrants on-staff would be fined. In addition, individuals who are found to transfer illegal immigrants for profit would potentially face a jail sentence and vehicles used in the process would be taken.
While the federal government continues to work towards a solution for immigration reform, it is evident that some states are becoming impatient. Legislators in Pennsylvania began their debate in Reading, and it was reported that local leaders will be holding meetings and discussions in Allentown and Bethlehem in upcoming weeks.
The Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center notes that the Department of Homeland Security detains about 1,600 immigrants in Pennsylvania at eleven county prisons, two federal facilities, and a locked family shelter in Berks County. While Pennsylvania clearly does not have the same problems with border control that Arizona does, a prominent immigrant population does exist. Immigration lawyers and other legal professionals work to ensure that the constitutional rights of all individuals are not infringed upon.
