By CHRIS BLANK, April 1, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY — State senators gave quick preliminary approval today to legislation cracking down on illegal immigrants and those who hire them.
The bill would require police to check immigration status after arrests; block illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits such as aid for food, housing or retirement; and withhold state money from cities with policies to not cooperate with immigration authorities, among other things.
It's the first immigration bill to be brought to the Senate floor this session. Senators endorsed the bill after barely an hour of debate. When the first-round vote was taken by voice vote, just five senators — two Republicans and three Democrats — were on the floor.
Afterward, Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, joked that the debate was so much shorter than anticipated that it messed up his floor debate schedule.
Complete article at:
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/04/01/senate-gives-quick-initial-ok-illegal-immigration-/