Butler County Sheriff heads to Washington D.C. to discuss immigration reform

HAMILTON, Ohio - Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones is traveling to Washington, D.C., to participate in discussions related to immigration reform.

Jones is a longtime proponent for reform and will go to D.C. to promote his personal ideas concerning the topic as a member of the National Sheriff’s Association Immigration Committee.

Eight key Democratic and Republican senators pledged Monday to get a wide-ranging immigration bill through the Senate by summer. The group of senators unveiled proposals to secure the border, allow more guest workers, require tougher verification measures by employers and create a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants already in the country.

Jones says he has eight principles he will be promoting to include in any new immigration reform package. He sent those eight principles to 9 On Your Side in writing:

1. Our nation’s borders must be 100% secured, with the cooperation of, and agreement by, all border states.  Then, continually enforce it.

2. There must be severe penalties, criminal penalties (jail time) and large civil penalties (monetary fines), for employers and companies who employ illegals.  Then, enforce it.

3. The flow of illegal drugs crossing our borders must be stopped, with enforcement.

4. Welfare and other Social Services programs should not be provided for anyone who is in “Illegal” status or in the process of becoming legal.  No “free cheese” until attaining legal status.  Enforce it.

5. No jobs without proper work visas until attaining legal status, and cannot displace or be put ahead of U.S. Citizens.  Enforce it.

6. No voting rights for non-U.S. Citizens.  Enforce it.

7. No “jumping to the front of the line.”  Must let those who are already in the process of becoming legal (currently doing it the “right way”) remain first in line.  Then, enforce it.

8. Governors of border states, and other states being directly affected by significant “immigration issues,” must have substantial involvement in establishing any immigration reform policies.

Jones said he is also providing an official press release of his ideas to President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and Ohio Governor, John Kasich.