Missouri Senators debate immigration reform in 2013
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Lobbyist Money Help  

Missouri Senators debate immigration reform in 2013

Date: December 13, 2012
By: Brendan Cullerton
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
While significant immigration reform has stalled at the federal level, Missouri Senators tried to take matters into their own hands.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Missouri Senators held an open hearing to discuss possible changes in illegal immigration policy.

The state passed a bill in 2008 that prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving drivers licenses.

Director of an immigrant advocacy group Vanessa Crawford says Missouri's attitude toward immigrants is hurting communities.

Actuality:  CRAWFOR2.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "Placid and explicit local policies against immigrants is a real problem in people's life. That is what is driving people out of communities."
Jackson County Senator, Republican Will Kraus says there is a problem with illegal immigrants getting into car accidents without insurance or licenses.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.

Intro: 
Missouri Senators debated the damage the state is doing to itself by closing the doors to illegal immigrants, but also discussed benefits of having legal immigrants in the state.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican Senator Will Kraus says Missouri has a problem with immigrants getting into car accidents without insurance.

Democratic St. Louis Senator Maria Chapelle-Nadal says legal immigration can actually improve the state. Just look at Ritenour High in St. Louis.

Actuality:  NADAL.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "With the diversity that they had. They went up three points in their APR. Just because they were different students there with different backgrounds, it was not a hindrance to their overall outcome."

A spokesperson with a group that advocates immigration for economic growth says Missouri is hurting its economy by turning away illegal immigrants as potential workers.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.