Immigration Bill Clears Second House Committee and Heads to the Floor

Republicans on the House Economic Affairs Committee withstood heavy opposition from business interests and Bible-quoting migrants to approve an immigration reform bill Thursday.

While Democrats tried to portray House Bill 7089 as the second coming of Arizona's controversial law, sponsor Bill Snyder said the bill legally balances border enforcement and employment verification.

"Enforcement provisions are not triggered by a traffic stop. There is no requirement to carry documentation, as there is in Arizona's law," said Snyder, R-Stuart. "It merely states that if, during a criminal investigation, there is reasonable suspicion" about illegal presence, a separate immigration charge can be filed.

The second part of the bill requires employers to use the federal E-Verify screening database when hiring workers.

Snyder's measure cleared the House Judiciary Committee last month and now heads to the full House.