The U.S. House Judiciary committee is considering H.R. 2885, a bill that includes E-Verify and has many good features, HOWEVER it would take away [preempt] the right of all States to pass any new State immigration enforcement legislation and it will undo existing State enforcement legislation, such as Arizona’s and our recent legislative success in North Carolina.

This legislation, H.R. 2885 cannot be allowed to move forward unless the state preemption language is removed. We have seen Congressional legislation come and go and often it is not funded.   To take away now the rights of States to take action unless years and years of real action and immigration enforcement at the federal level actually happens is naive and foolish.

Unfortunately NumbersUSA is encouraging H.R. 2885 as is, and is hiding the state preemption matter from its members.  We have partnered with NumbersUSA in the past, but I find it troublesome that they are taking their position.

If If If the preemption clause is removed, we will support H.R. 2885 and hope it is funded and actually does something.

Concerned Citizens and Immigration Reformers,

H.R. 2164, a bill by Congressman Lamar Smith who has fought for immigration enforcement for years, would require all businesses nationwide to use E-Verify and it has some great enforcement features, HOWEVER there are two clauses that MUST be amended if we are to continue to support this legislation.

The bill will be considered by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and we need to press them to adopt these two amendments to H.R. 2164, the Legal Workforce Act, authored by Congressman Smith.

We must contact all Republican Members of the House Judiciary Committee, (list below) and ask that they support these two amendments in committee that do the following to H.R. 2164:

Concerned Citizens and Immigration Reformers,

This is a bit late in mentioning, but Reedy Creek Diner at 5424 North NC Highway 150 in Lexington, NC 27295 came under some attacks earlier for their English only policy. They serve anyone and do their best to help, but do not wish to provide translation services or special waitresses for those who cannot speak English. The Latino community created a bit of a stir over this because of an English only sign in the restaurant’s window.

When I was visiting Italy and Spain a couple of years ago I did not expect any special treatment even though I do not speak Spanish or Italian. When I visited restaurants I was served and I was polite, and they assisted me as best they could and I appreciated their help. I did not complain about the menu not being in English, and I did not expect a translator to be present. As a side note I did study Latin for five semesters, but I arrived a little late in Europe for that to have any relevance.

I encourage all of you to visit this restaurant in Lexington when you are in the area. And to our associates in the Lexington area, I expect you are already supporting them per the previous media attention.

Concerned Citizens and Immigration Reformers,

Because of being preoccupied with legislation in the NC General Assembly, I am late in mentioning another recent success. But this success belongs to the blogger Randy’s Right. Chatham County has recently recalled their earlier proclamation of being a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants, and Randy was instrumental in getting this changed.

Randy worked in numerous ways to change the political direction of Chatham and his efforts helped bring real change in the last election and as a result, a revisiting of the earlier policy. NC LISTEN was glad to have partnered with Randy in this effort, but he deserves full credit. So this is yet another example of how an individual can decide he is going to tackle a problem by getting involved and sticking with it until he gets results!

Congratulations Randy, job well done!

Concerned Citizens and Immigration Reformers,

********Gov Bev Perdue has signed H.36, the E-Verify law.********

H.36 passed the NC House and NC Senate just recently, and although it did not go near as far as we would have liked, it is a “good start” to prevent illegal immigrants from getting new jobs in North Carolina.   Our state unemployment rate is 9.7%, U-6 number is near 15%, so why should illegals be allowed to get jobs which belong to citizens?

We will continue to press for E-Verify to apply to smaller companies.