< back
 
 
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT REPORTING LAW COMES UNDER FIRE IN MINNESOTA
Immigrant advocates in Minnesota are expressing concern about the possible effects of a state law due to take effect in the summer of 2001.  The law will require state and local workers who receive requests for public benefits to report people they believe are undocumented immigrants.  Advocates are worried that the law will prevent people who are eligible for benefits from applying for them.  For example, the law might discourage an undocumented mother from seeking benefits for her citizen child, benefits to which the child is legally entitled.

Advocates are not the only people concerned about the Minnesota law.  Investigators from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights say that it goes beyond the federal requirement of merely ensuring that the person applying for benefits is entitled to them.  They also wonder how the state and local workers charged with enforcing the law will be able to tell whether a person applying for benefits is undocumented. 

The INS District Director for the region has said that it would be unlikely that the agency would pursue deportation of undocumented immigrants reported under the state law.  However, he did add that the agency would seek further action against those charged with allegations of fraud. 
 
< Back | Next >
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.