By BRANDI WATTERS

An immigration bill that would penalize employers for hiring illegal immigrants sponsored by Indiana Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, failed last month amidst mudslinging between parties and accusations of racism.

Some opponents of the bill, including state Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, question the true motivation behind America’s anti-immigration sentiment.

“Would there be this much passion involved if these were English-speaking, white Canadians coming across the border?” Lanane said. “Maybe there would be, I don’t know. If there had been a flood of English-speaking Canadians, I don’t think we’d have this problem.”

House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said Republicans were trying to push racist provisions aimed at illegal immigrants. “We don’t need a hate debate on the floor.”

Delph maintains that the illegal immigration legislation is not linked to racism or hatred of any kind. “Race is not an issue with respect to the legislation I proposed. Racism existed before my proposal, and it will exist after my proposal. Racism is a character issue.”

The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that there are 55,000 to 85,000 illegal immigrants living in Indiana.

Delph estimates Indiana’s illegal immigrant population to be much larger. “It’s well in excess of 100,000 and probably approaching 200,000. That’s (an estimate) based on my conversations with people in the field.”

An estimated 11.6 million illegal immigrants live in the United States, according to the most recent reports of the Department of Homeland Security.

That number has increased 37 percent since 2000, and the issue is a hot topic at dinner tables and political debates across the country. Some contend that illegal immigrants are taking jobs that otherwise might be filled by legal residents. Others worry that legitimate Americans are paying for health care and other benefits enjoyed by illegal immigrants. Still others are concerned that the influx of Spanish-speaking people is eroding the English-speaking foundation of America, or a cause of concern for national security.

By the end of this year, the Department of Homeland Security is expected to erect a fence at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Secure Fence Act of 2006 ordered the construction of 700 miles of fencing to protect the southern border.

AU prof: Earmarks of prejudice unchanged

Dulce Maria Scott is a professor at Anderson University teaching sociology and an active member of the Hispanic community.