California Anti-Illegal Immigration Bills Die

OC Register: A state Legislative committee struck down a pair of bills targeting illegal immigration in California, according to news reports. Tuesday, the committee rejected Secure Immigration Act – AB26 – and shorter bill AB1018, The Associated Press reported. AB26 would have allowed citizens to launch lawsuits against any local government that operates as a sanctuary for people who are in the country illegally. The bill also would have made it mandatory for every California employer to use E-Verify – a federal Internet-based program that allows employers to check the eligibility of employees to work in the country. AB1018 would have required all state agencies to use a federal verification program to ensure that the person was eligible for state-funded benefits. Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Claremont, introduced the bills, which some experts said faced a hard battle in an Assembly dominated by Democrats. The bills were inspired by Arizona's recent anti-illegal immigration law SB1070, according to KPBS.com. The bill was defeated along party lines in 7-3 vote by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, according to The Associated Press.