Committee Rejects California Immigration Bill

AB26 calls for penalties to discourage day laborers who are in the country illegally and requires citizenship verification

A legislative committee Tuesday rejected a bill that would go after sanctuary cities and employers who hire undocumented immigrants.

Bill Text (As Introduced): AB26

Early Tuesday, the Assembly Judiciary Committee considered Assemblyman Tim Donnelly's bill, AB26. Committee members voted 7-3 against the bill.

The bill called for penalties to discourage day laborers who are in the country illegally and requires citizenship verification for anyone applying for public benefits. Under a second bill, AB1018, proposed by Donnelly, the same verification would have been required for anyone applying for public benefits.

"One of the things I've always been in favor of is more legal immigration," Donnelly, a state Minuteman founder, told the Associated Press.

The lawmaker said the influx of immigrants should compel the United States to help Mexico tackle structural problems that encourage its citizens to migrate north. His bill also would increase punishment of sex and drug traffickers and other smugglers.

Supporters of the bill rallied Monday at the Capitol building. The AP reported that about 100 people attended the rally.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us