"He (state Rep. Randy Terrill) was joined by a dozen legislators and community activists Thursday as part of the Coalition to End Taxpayer Subsidies for Illegal Aliens...."
 
Immigration issue stays in spotlight
 
By Jennifer Mock
Capitol Bureau
Fri March 31, 2006
 
Immigration reform supporters gathered at the Capitol on Thursday to urge Senate leaders to consider legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration in the state.

House Bill 3119 would have required state employees to report to federal authorities illegal immigrants seeking state services. Though the House passed the bill, the Senate author sidetracked it this week, saying it is too harsh.

But Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, House author of HB 3119, said he will continue to try to insert the language into other bills.

He was joined by a dozen legislators and community activists Thursday as part of the Coalition to End Taxpayer Subsidies for Illegal Aliens, calling for increased support for the bill's language.

The coalition is holding a rally for those who support immigration reform at 3 p.m. Sunday on the south steps of the Capitol. The rally is in response to an event planned by those opposing reform at noon Saturday at the Capitol.

Terrill said though immigration is a federal issue, states have the obligation to fight against the problem in the face of federal inaction.