Lawmakers in Raleigh listened to presentations today about the impact of illegal immigration on North Carolina.
Jessica Jones: The House Select Committee on the State's Role in Immigration met in a crowded committee room before a full audience of interest groups and lobbyists. Representatives of state agencies gave short talks and some even gave powerpoint presentations on immigration-related issues. The questions lawmakers asked ranged from probing the intricacies of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to how many undocumented pregnant women present themselves at emergency rooms to give birth. There was no public comment period, although the chair of the committee said public comment would be allowed at meetings in the future. After the meeting, a Latino advocacy group protested on the steps of the General Assembly. Members of the group fear state lawmakers are considering laws to crack down on immigrants.
