HCS HB 350 -- CONCEALING ILLEGAL ALIENS

SPONSOR:  Nolte (Parkinson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
International Trade and Immigration by a vote of 7 to 1.

This substitute makes it a crime for a person to conceal, harbor,
or shelter from detection any alien knowing or in reckless
disregard of the fact that the alien has entered or remained in
the country illegally.  A violation of this crime is a felony
punishable by not less than one year's imprisonment, a fine of
not less than $1,000, or both.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will discourage illegal
immigration.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Parkinson; and Janet
Rennier, Missourians Against Illegal Immigration.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the prohibition
against concealing, harboring, or sheltering an illegal alien
will greatly impede and could ultimately shut down the activities
of Catholic charities.  Arbitrarily lowering from 18 years to 14
years the age at which an applicant for public benefits must
provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence will also cause
problems for charities and will raise costs for the state.

Testifying against the bill were Catholic Charities Archdiocese
of St. Louis; Service Employees International Union,
Missouri/Kansas State Council; American Civil Liberties Union of
Eastern Missouri; Jennifer Rafanan, Missouri Immigrant and
Refugee Advocates; and University of Central Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am