Mo. lawmakers approve crackdown on illegal immigrants

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers gave final approval Friday to a bill that adds new restrictions and requirements for illegal immigrants, the cities in which they live and the businesses that employ them.

The bill would require people to prove they are U.S. citizens or are legally in the country when applying for food stamps, housing and other public benefits; penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants; order the Missouri State Highway Patrol to seek special federal immigration training; and bar Missouri cities from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The measure also allows fines of up to $50,000 for employers who misclassify their workers as "contractors" instead of "employees." When workers are contractors, employers don't have to pay withholding taxes, provide other benefits or take responsibility if the worker is an illegal immigrant.

The House approved the measure 136-12 on Friday; the Senate followed suit with a 27-7 vote, sending it to Gov. Matt Blunt.