True North

Governor Tim Pawlenty unveiled a new initative to combat illegal immigration today.

This afternoon Governor Tim Pawlenty held a press conference detailing his vision for immigration reform and enforcement in Minnesota. Appearing with Department of Public Safety Commissioner and Minnesota Homeland Security Chief Michael Campion, Pawlenty issued four Executive Orders for immediate implementation and five legislative proposals to be acted upon as soon as the legislature is called to order in February.

This is arguably the boldest exertion of executive power by Governor Pawlenty in recent memory. His vision for immigration reform was met with fierce opposition from liberal reporters and an incensed hispanic legislator, Patricia Torres-Ray (DFL, Minneapolis), who held her own impromptu press conference in the hallway after the Governor's presentation.

Pawlenty issued the following four executive orders with his signature today:
1. Minnesota law enforcement officers will work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to help enforce immigration laws.
2. New state emplyees and contractors doing business with the state will be required to verify citizenship through an Internet-based system operated by the federal governmnet.
3. Department of Public Safety will conduct a review of Minnesota driver license database to catch duplicate photos and examine for possible fraud.
4. Department of Public Safety will coordinate law enforcement summits to coordinate training in targeting criminal activity related to illegal immigration.
The five legislative proposals include prohibition of city "sanctuary" ordinances, strengthened human trafficking laws, enhanced penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, increased penalties for identity theft and establishing the crime of "aggravated forgery" of underlying documents used to obtain legitimate identity documents.