Missouri lawmakers debate limits for illegal immigrants

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- To get public benefits such as food stamps or housing assistance in Missouri, people would have to prove they are U.S. citizens or legally in the country under legislation endorsed by the House.

Those who couldn't prove that they live legally in the United States could continue getting aid for 90 days. But after that, they would be reported to federal immigration authorities if they cannot prove they're legally here.

Rep. Ed Emery said Missouri residents shouldn't have to pay taxes so that illegal immigrants can get help.

"If they're here illegally, they've just gotten 90 days of services from your constituents. I don't expect mine to pay for it," Emery, R-Lamar, told his House colleagues.

But Democratic critics said some illegal immigrants would still need help and that making them ineligible for public benefits would increase pressure on groups that try to fill the gap.

"This bill will probably save the state money on the one hand, but it will probably be very costly for our schools and other institutions that take care of these children," said Rep. Mike Daus, D-St. Louis.

Democrats said that could also fall to private charities.

The Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center estimates from U.S. census data that 35,000 to 65,000 illegal immigrants live in Missouri -- less than 1 percent of the 12 million people estimated to be in the United States illegally.

Federal law makes illegal immigrants ineligible for many public benefits, but they can still get a K-12 education, emergency health care, disaster relief, immunizations and crisis counseling. Emery's bill wouldn't block that.

The bill given initial House approval Wednesday is one of several bills that lawmakers have considered to add restrictions on illegal immigrants, those who employ them and the schools that educate them.

Other legislation requires the Missouri State Highway Patrol to get special federal immigration training and public employers to use the E-Verify database to check employees' immigration status. Another bill would take away state grants from cities that adopt "sanctuary" policies and refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities.