Fight for HB1024

Today we visited the Capitol to check up on HB1024. Rick Green informed us that he had enough votes to pass the House Commitee on Public Health. We talked to a few representatives just to remind them. While we were there, a representative from the ACLU showed up and began lobbying against the bill! The ACLU has decided to fight against a bill that would reduce illegal immigration in Arkansas. They claim that the identification system, the Basic Pilot Program, is flawed and may cause discrimination. The Chamber of Commerce (which supports illegal immigration) claims the Basic Pilot Program fails 20% of the time. The ACLU also cites DHS and the GAO, organizations that have their own failure rates. Here are the ACLU talking points:

· Promote discrimination against workers and make the employer susceptible to lawsuits(doesn't every regulation do that?)

· Put worker privacy at risk(You have to prove legal status to get a job in the first place)

· Impose high costs on businesses and workers (The cost illegal immigration on America is bigger!)

Here's a link to the "fact" sheet that they sent to the Committee members and used to lobby with today.

http://www.acluarkansas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=13

Betsy Hagan suggested that anyone who lives in the district of Representative Jim Medley should give him a call ASAP and ask that he allows HB1024 to pass.

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A more local threat will have to be dealt with if HB1024 makes it to the House. According to Rick Green, Representative and contractor Barry Hyde of District 40 (North Little Rock area) is lobbying hard against HB1024. This is technically MY state representative! If you also live in Arkansas House district 40, call Barry Hyde at 501-371-0255 or the AR House phone numbers 501-682-6211 (in session) or 501-682-7771 (out of session). I will demand that he at least allow HB1024 to pass.

HB1024 is going before the House Committee on Public Health Tuesday Jan 23rd (tommorrow!), 10:00am, Room 130. The ACLU, along with other illegal immigration supporters will likely be there to advance their agenda. I will try to tape the event. It is recommended that you show up at around 9:30am to get space!