California GOP Unveil Immigration Plan

AP
California GOP Unveil Immigration Plan
Tuesday March 25, 2:20 pm ET

California Republicans Release immigration Plan to Crack Down on Illegal Immigration

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Republican lawmakers in California have released a legislative package intended to crack down on illegal immigration and punish companies that hire illegal workers.

The 20 bills on immigration would take a number of steps, including eliminating tuition benefits for illegal students. Another bill asks the federal government to reimburse California for the cost of holding illegal immigrants in state prisons.

Assemblywoman Mimi Walters, a Republican from Oceanside, said the bills announced Tuesday are partly intended to put pressure on Democrats who control the Legislature.

She said illegal immigrants cost California taxpayers an estimated $9 billion each year.

Her bill would require state agencies to verify new employees' work eligibility on a federal electronic database.

Similar bills on immigration have failed to gain traction in previous legislative sessions.