| New Bill Targets Illegal Immigrants And Work Benefits They Receive |
| (Columbia) Gustavo Penaranda isn't blind to
reality. He knows there are thousands of immigrants in and around
Columbia, and that they're not all like him: here legally.
“We don't agree with illegal immigration,” said Gustavo. “I don't think that helps anybody in this country." Gustavo became an American citizen three decades ago. Today, he is Vice-President of Hispanic Connections, a company that helps connect businesses with Columbia's Hispanic community. Gustavo says there's no possible way to know how many illegal immigrants are working in the Midlands. But whoever they are, Gustavo doesn't believe they should lose benefits at work because they're illegal. “We Americans give them jobs, so it's our responsibility to make sure that we control that risk." That's where he and state senator Jake Knotts differ. “If you came here and you're illegal, you're gonna be responsible for your medical bills,” said Senator Knotts. That's why he's filing a bill that would prevent illegals from receiving worker's compensation if they are injured on the job. “My bill is a very simple bill,” said Knotts. “It says that if a person applies for workman's compensation, they must show that they are a legal citizen." Said Gustavo, “Worker’s compensation is one thing, and immigration is another." Senator Knotts has his reasons. “If we're serious about immigration,” he said, “and we're serious about doing something, (this bill) will do something about it." Gustavo Penaranda disagrees on every front. “An employee is an employee, and if he gets injured, he needs to be covered,” he said. Senator Knotts says he had intended to file the bill Wednesday afternoon, but says he held off to be sure the language was worded properly. Knotts says the bill will be filed next week. |