BAY NEWS 9

December 21, 2005

Tougher illegal immigration laws coming?

U.S. citizens could face harsher punishment for aiding illegal immigrants if new legislation is passed.

The legislation would allow the government to prosecute American citizens who aide foreign nationals. It would also give local law enforcement officials the same power as immigration authorities.

The legislation would also require employers to make sure all of their employees' Social Security numbers are valid and place stricter regulations on those living in, working in and entering the U.S. illegally.

A group of Mexican workers, along with representatives from the Latin Immigrants United of Florida, met at U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris' office in Sarasota on Wednesday to voice their concerns about the proposal.

"I'm afraid we won't be able to work anymore," migrant worker Jorge Corona said in Spanish. "We probably have to hide from the police now so we don't get caught and sent back. I guess we will go home instead of suffering here."

Although Harris was not available, her chief of staff, Fred Asbell, thanked the group for a gift of tomatoes and explained the legislation is geared toward improving border security.

"The purpose of it was to create a way to make sure the people that cross the border are who they say they are," Asbell said.

Immigration attorney James Martin calls the proposed legislation inhumane.

"There's just a fundamental lack of fairness to this law," Martin said. "And it does not address the border security issue."

The dilemma lawmakers face is how to manage the borders while maintaining the crucial workforce migrant workers provide. Florida agriculture is a $60 million business, and a large portion of the labor is done by illegal immigrants.

Harris is not the only lawmaker the Latin Immigrants United of Florida is targeting. Members of the organization are also visiting Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson.