DOJ sues Illinois for usurping federal immigration law

So, are we to expect Attorney General Lisa Madigan to rise to the defense of Governor Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois General Assembly, who are being sued by the feds for passing a state law allow federal immigration laws to be usurped?

The governor's got Winston and Strawn busy protecting him from federal depositions on the pay-to-play accusations.  It'll be AG Madigan's job to ward off the DOJ who are not happy with Illinois' new amendment to the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act.  What irony!

The Department of Justice announced today they have filed suit against Illinois for HB 1744, a bill that restricts Illinois employers from verifying the immigration status of an employee.   

Blagojevich signed HB 1744 into law on August 13.  The House passed the legislation April 19, 2007 with a 76 to 39 vote, and the Senate passed it on to the Governor May 22, 2007 with a 42 to 8 vote.

Congressman Peter Roskam (R-8) just issued the following statement:

DOJ SUES BLAGOJEVICH FOR CREATING WORKPLACE SANCTUARY FOR ILLEGALS

Roskam Applauds DOJ and DHS for Protecting Illinois Workers

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Peter J. Roskam (R-IL) today issued the following statement on the heels of a United States Department of Justice lawsuit filed against the State of Illinois and its plan to prohibit employers from voluntarily enrolling in any Employment Eligibility Verification System:

“Governor Blagojevich and the Illinois Legislature are acting against the best interest of Illinois workers, Illinois families, and against the safety of our nation.

“It is unbelievable that a legislative body would prohibit honest employers the right to voluntarily verify the citizenship status of their workers.  It is against the law to hire an illegal alien and the federal E-Verify system is currently the best means available for employers to ensure compliance.

“Allowing undocumented workers into the workforce takes jobs away from hard-working Illinois families.

“Immigration reform begins at the border.  We must remove the magnets that attract hundreds of thousands of illegals to cross our borders every year. 

“Governor Blagojevich is attempting to preempt federal law by creating a virtual sanctuary within the State of Illinois for illegal aliens.  Subsequently, the Department of Justice has filed suit in federal court today, and I applaud their actions.” 

Comments

[politwriter]

This is huge! Our grass roots revulsion at the Bush-McCain-Kennedy amnesty bill seems to be bearing major fruit.

Next step is to cut off federal funds to "Sanctuary cities" like Chicago and San Francisco, that do not allow their police to co-operate with Federal immigration authorities, even when they have apprehended illegal alien criminals.

[politwriter]

One other thought. Happy to hear that Peter Roskam's press secretary drafted up boilerplate rhetoric to show us all how hard-line Roskam is on immigration.

But if Roskam was at all sincere, if he was at all for real, would he be one of the key Illinois backers of "Amnesty John" McCain --Teddy Kennedy's co-sponsor of the illegal alien amnesty bill.

I doubt that his predecessor, Henry Hyde, would have given even a moment's thought to signing on as a backer of a wildly pro-abortion Presidential candidate.

Henry Hyde was a man of principle.

Can anyone take Roskam seriously?

[Evert Evertsen]

In the past few months we have had the opportunity to "chat" with several elected legislators. Some who 'serve' in D.C. and some who 'serve' in Springfield.
When most CITIZENS of the U.S. cast a ballot in an election they incorrectly hold the impression that candidates are as educated about the issues as the voters are. Each time we "chat" with these legislators and their staff, we walk away with the same impression: "dumb as a box of rocks". Not only do these legislators not read the legislation they vote on, when they do read it, they have no clue what it means. Also, be aware, there are way, way too many bills (thousands!) introduced each year in the State and in D.C. How can your legislator possibly be familiar with each and every issue? They cannot.
How many State legislators even knew what E-verify is, or knew the history of Basic Pilot? Not many. How many State legislators knew the negative impact of issuing Driving Certificates to illegal aliens? Not many. Those who voted for it ignored the fact that the citizens of this State are against rewarding anyone who breaks the laws of our country.
We have had legislators in our State vote to import pharmaceuticals against federal law. Chicago is a sanctuary city which is against federal law.
Finally the federal government has given a sign that enough is already too much.

Now, for anyone who has read this far, please read the following: For the most part we have found that legislators are not capable of performing the duty they were elected to do. They all take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the State and the United States. Before you vote to put anyone back in office or vote for someone new, ask them this question and demand an answer: “Are you capable of casting your vote on legislation based on your oath and the will of “the people” or will you cast your vote based on your PERSONAL emotions and the influence of a few people?”
Get out to the rallies and forums of candidates who have announced they are running for office. Ask the hard questions. If you do not, you will absolutely be guaranteed that you will receive the government you deserve. Did you know that we have now passed legislation in D.C. which gives the President the power of a dictator? Why do we have a problem with illegal aliens? Not enough people have contacted their legislators and demanded they enforce the laws – that is why. Just recently our President CUT IN HALF the number of agents assigned to enforce our immigration laws!

The other item to remember is, do not just sit in your car, on your couch or a bar stool and bitch about the people you have elected. Now is the time to get active. If your local committeeman is not representing you, go to the county clerk and get a packet to run for his or her office. Better yet, run for another local political office. At the least, become an election judge and participate MORE in the process which the founders of our great country put together to make us a great country. Because people just bitch and do nothing other than vote (whoops! More and more do not even vote anymore.) we are losing our country to lobbyists who work on behalf of the elite and the socialists. The majority of those lobbyists could care less about the country we are leaving behind for our grandchildren. Do not count on the media to keep you up to speed on the issues. I hope you can take the time to click on this link and read the contents:

http://www.minutemenmidwest.com/EntryDetail.asp?entryID=349

GET ACTIVE!!!

[Frank Goudy]

Unfortunately, these legislators did know what they were voting upon. They just hope that no one finds out. And, of course, in the Chicago area these legislators, as long as they are Democrats, are going to maintain their seats.

This type of lawsuit should be replicated on a whole host of illegal immigration issues. However, conservative groups are usually not as smart as the ACLU or MALDEF and thus are always playing catch up hoping that our elected reps will somehow enforce the laws of our country- won't happen.

[politwriter]

Well, wait a minute. The 435 Members of the House and 100 Memebers of the Senate have huge staff allotments -- that is for people to help them stay abreast of the massive legislation put forth.

I have worked on the Washington staff of 2 Conservative GOP members and know many others.

One was a terribly diligent Notre Dame grad, who actually studied and thought about the votes he cast.

The other was a Kentucky good ole boy who was great at gladhanding in his district, but would cast his votes based on what he heard from the last person he spoke with before setting foot on the Hose floor.

What you should ask is what is the caliber of your Congressman's staff. If he is a conservative and hires mostly liberal Capitol Hill hangers on, as Phil Crane did in his later years, you've got a problem.

Wonder what the character is of Roskam's staff that he got so screwed up as to run on an immigration control platform and then endorse, "Mr. Illegal Alien Amnesty," John McCain?

[Rosanna Pulido]

On May 22nd 2007 I had the priveldge of testifing before the U.S. House in Washington D C and exposed what was happening in our Illinois House and Senate.

http://www.illinoisminuteman.com/Pulido_testimony.htm

I exposed that the Illinois House (HB 1744) was working on passing this bill as I was speaking to them! It passed the very next day....May 23rd 2007.

[Bruce Cain]

No More Immigration: Legal or Illegal
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