PA Legislators Introduce Arizona-Style

[sjr09 155]

PA Legislators Introduce Arizona-Style Enforcement Bill

On Tuesday, May 4, Pennsylvania State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, along with 26 original cosponsors, introduced <A href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=2479&pn=3715">House Bill (HB) 2479, the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act." (Press Release, May 4, 2010). HB 2479 is an immigration enforcement bill similar to Arizona's SB 1070, which Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law last month. (See FAIR's Legislative Update, April 26, 2010).

Like SB 1070, the new Pennsylvania bill contains an anti-sanctuary policy provision that would require a law enforcement officer to make a "complete, full, and appropriate attempt" to verify an individual's immigration status if – during a lawful stop, detainment, or arrest only – the officer develops a reasonable suspicion that the individual is unlawfully present in the United States. (§5, ¶ 2). HB 2479 also mirrors federal alien registration laws by providing that illegal aliens who violate such laws (8 U.S.C. 1304(e) and 8 U.S.C. 1306(a), which require aliens to register and carry their documents with them at all times) have committed a third degree misdemeanor under Pennsylvania state law. (§6). Finally, like the Arizona bill, HB 2479 provides that its provisions must be enforced "without regard to race, religion, gender, ethnicity or national origin." (§2, ¶ 6).

HB 2479 includes other immigration enforcement oriented measures that were not included in the Arizona bill. These measures include:

• A requirement that state agencies verify the immigration status of any individual over the age of 18 who applies for federal, state, or local public benefits in the state of Pennsylvania (§4);
• The establishment of a third degree felony for individuals who intentionally engage in smuggling of illegal aliens (§7); and
• Provisions similar to the Legal Arizona Workers Act – legislation that former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed into law in 2007, requiring employers to check the employment eligibility status of each new employee through E-Verify (§§8-10).

At a press conference marking the introduction of HB 2479, Rep. Metcalfe highlighted the findings of FAIR's 2009 "Costs of Illegal Immigration to Pennsylvanians" cost study, which reports that Pennsylvania's illegal alien population costs the state's taxpayers about $728 million per year for education, medical care and incarceration. FAIR President Dan Stein attended the press conference and explained why states are taking action on immigration enforcement: "[Y]ear after year, the federal government has failed in its mission: to enforce these laws." (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, May 5, 2010).

[JohnSmith2007 353]

So if enough states pass laws like this what will the libs in California do? They can't boycott everyone.

[sjr09 155]

So if enough states pass laws like this what will the libs in California do? They can't boycott everyone.

Hopefully pissing in the wind.

[Darnell 8,478]

A requirement that state agencies verify the immigration status of any individual over the age of 18 who applies for federal, state, or local public benefits in the state of Pennsylvania (§4); Cool - this should shut off the medical pipeline !!!

Maybe they'll add in some stuff about verifying parents' status on any child coming in to a Public School System?

[Darnell 8,478]

So if enough states pass laws like this what will the libs in California do? They can't boycott everyone.

Oh Goodness! Will California citizens refuse to buy Hershey Chocolate branded products in the future? WOW.

What else?

MOST processed foodstuffs also have that 'extra' Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture Approval Seal on them - will some goon in California decide that since PA gets special 'notice', must boycott all of these foodstuffs?

[Peikko 1,575]

Hershey is ####### - I can't imagine how anyone eats that stuff, it smells like sick.

[SMOKE 1,426]

So if enough states pass laws like this what will the libs in California do? They can't boycott everyone.

they're already screwed. most of the paint & glass on cars sold in the US is made by PPG. hell, they make a good share of all paint & all glass sold in the US. PPG- Pittsburgh Paint & Glass.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Hershey is ####### - I can't imagine how anyone eats that stuff, it smells like sick.

Always tasted like cooking chocolate to me.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

If they would just remove the stupid "lawful stop" provisions of the law it would be perfectly fine.

[Peikko 1,575]

Always tasted like cooking chocolate to me.

You're being kind. I hope you overdose on cadbury before it becomes crappy under Kraft and make yourself sick!

If they would just remove the stupid "lawful stop" provisions of the law it would be perfectly fine.

Doing so would remove any justification for having it at all though. It could only work if it was used 'selectively'.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

You're being kind. I hope you overdose on cadbury before it becomes crappy under Kraft and make yourself sick!

Doing so would remove any justification for having it at all though. It could only work if it was used 'selectively'.

it would kill sanctuary laws as any suspected illegal immigrant would automatically be reported to ICE for investigation once in police custody, and at the same protect Hispanics from profiling while being stopped and questioned.

Edited May 13, 2010 by Sousuke

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This will actually not be as problematic in PA. The population of illegals in the part of PA I'm familiar with (Philly suburbs, Lehigh Valley, the Poconos) isn't very racially homogeneous at all. Lots of Hispanics, lots of Slavs, lots of Indians and Caribs. It'll be fine in PA.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

This will actually not be as problematic in PA. The population of illegals in the part of PA I'm familiar with (Philly suburbs, Lehigh Valley, the Poconos) isn't very racially homogeneous at all. Lots of Hispanics, lots of Slavs, lots of Indians and Caribs. It'll be fine in PA.

Oh yeah the area with that pub where that couple was arrested for not tipping!

[Darnell 8,478]

Hershey is ####### - I can't imagine how anyone eats that stuff, it smells like sick.

Hershey has many products - have you tried ALL of them before making this declaration?

OTOH, if yer SO hasn't brought this -->> http://www.hersheys.com/products/details/syrup.asp into the bedroom, methinks someone is missing out !

[_Simpson_ 250]

Hershey is ####### - I can't imagine how anyone eats that stuff, it smells like sick.

Huh

Not that I really expected you to like anything about America but dam Hershey has it going on and could explain why they have been so successful.

Edited May 13, 2010 by _Simpson_