Legislation on Immigration
As of October 4, 2007
The state budget passed in Springfield this summer excludes
funding for programs that would benefit immigrants by promoting
integration, citizenship, English programs and self-sufficiency
initiatives. LWVIL Position: The League of Women Voters
of Illinois believes that the State of Illinois should promote local
community efforts to provide orientation and counseling services
for immigrants regardless of documentation status. The State of
Illinois should support funding efforts for these services by encouraging
federal funding and by the use of funds from the state and local
governments as well as from the private sector.
Also, HB1100 "The Roadway Safety and Mandatory Auto Insurance
Act" passed in the IL House this past spring but lost some
momentum over the summer in the state Senate. The bill is currently
in committee. LWVIL Position: The League of Women Voters of
Illinois believes the State of Illinois should provide "driving
certificates" or some other form of proof of driving validation
to undocumented drivers, allowing those drivers to drive legally
and ensuring that they would have passed a state driving test. The
LWVIL also believes the State of Illinois should permit and encourage
auto insurance providers to issue insurance coverage to holders
of such driving certificates.
As a result of our federal government's failure to pass
any immigration reform, local communities and municipalities are
trying to tackle immigration on their own. Here in Illinois,
the City of Waukegan voted to support a proposed agreement that
would allow local police officers to enforce federal immigration
law [287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act]. This agreement
would allow local police to deport convicted felons who are living
in Waukegan illegally. The city has submitted their application
for permission to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement who will
review the application this fall. LWVIL Position: The League
of Women Voters of Illinois opposes the deputization of state and
local police to enforce immigration laws in Illinois.
|
