Monday, August 27, 2007

Blunt Won't Wait for Washington on Immigration

Frustrated with the lack of federal immigration reform in Washington, Gov. Matt Blunt outlined new initiatives to enforce the laws against illegal immigration.

“We cannot be complacent about illegal immigration, and we cannot wait for Washington to stop unlawful immigration,” Blunt said in a statement. He pointed to a recent murder in Newark, N.J that involved an illegal immigrant. “We must be proactive to protect Missourians from harm and help prevent what happened in New Jersey from happening in Missouri. We will make every effort, implement every tool, and take every step to ensure the laws against illegal immigration are enforced," Blunt said.

To prevent a similar tragedy in Missouri, Blunt today directed Highway Patrol, Water Patrol and Capitol police to do the following:

· Prepare for training that allows state law enforcement officials to enforce federal immigration law
· Encourage and assist local law enforcement to apply for state assistance, resources and support including making available a fingerprint scan program for local law enforcement agencies that will use it.
· Verify the immigration status of every individual presented for incarceration with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) computer background status check and to complete full background checks on any accompanying adults. Anyone identified as illegal will be detained to prevent them from committing any crimes.

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