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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, September 1, 2008 Initiative targets illegal immigrants By Krista J. Kapralos, Herald Writer A group that fights illegal immigration is gathering signatures to submit an initiative that would toughen current laws, but leaders of the group say they're not sure how the initiative's vague language would affect the ability of illegal immigrants to get emergency medical care or a high school education. Craig Keller, a board member of Respect Washington, the group behind the initiative, said the goal of the proposed law is to stop illegal immigrants from working in Washington state. That includes keeping them from getting driver's licenses, which are often used as identification to get jobs. Employers would also be required to verify that each job applicant is legally able to work here through E-Verify, an online database of authorized workers. But the proposal, known as Initiative 409, also requires that anyone over the age of 14 show proof that they live here legally before they benefit from public services. Respect Washington is working to get nearly 250,000 signatures by year's end in order for lawmakers to either consider it themselves or put it to a vote next November. Keller said he's not sure how many signatures the group has collected since it began last month. If the proposal moves forward, it could be interpreted to mean that children who are here illegally could not attend high school, and that anyone over the age of 14 would not have access to any form of medical care. "That could be considered a public benefit," Keller said, but he added that the U.S. is a "good Samaritan" nation that shouldn't ignore someone who needs emergency help. Rogelio Riojas, chief executive officer of SeaMar Community Health Centers, said the initiative, if passed into law, is likely to cost taxpayers more if illegal immigrants are forced to wait to get medical care until there is a true emergency. SeaMar is funded by state and federal dollars and operates 40 clinics and other offices around the state, including two in Everett and one in Marysville. Forty percent of the SeaMar's patients are Hispanic, Riojas said. Fees at SeaMar are based on a sliding scale, but most visits cost between $120 and $150, he said. A visit to an emergency room could cost $300 to $1,000 or more, he said. "If people don't get preventative health care, by the time they're in the hospital, they would be very sick," he said. "That will cost more tax dollars." People who focus on health care are looking for a "heartthrob reason" to keep illegal immigrants here, Keller said. The root of the problem is that illegal immigrants find jobs here, he said. Everything else is a symptom. Illegal immigrants sap state and federal funds meant for citizens, Keller said. Identity theft and fraud are widespread because employers are tricked into hiring illegal immigrants who have driver's licenses. "We are just being robbed by illegal activity," he said. "The taxpayer is being fleeced." Respect Washington was formed by members of Washingtonians for Immigration Reform and the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, a civilian border patrol group, to create and find supporters for the initiative. The initiative is an echo of laws passed in Arizona and Oklahoma, Keller said. The number of Hispanics in Washington state grew by 31 percent between 2000 and 2006 to about 580,000 people, according to a January report by the Carsey Institute, a New Hampshire-based research organization. It's impossible to know exactly how many of those people are here illegally. Backers of the initiative have set up booths to get signatures at fairs and festivals throughout the state. The group needs to collect 224,880 signatures by 10 days before the state's legislative session begins in order to move the initiative forward. Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.

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