Apr 10, 2006 3:01 pm US/Central
Protested Bean Defends Immigration Stance
Congresswoman Supports Bill That Would Make Illegal Immigrants Felons
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) ―
U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean said she stands by her vote for an immigration reform bill that's causing demonstrations across the state and the country.
A group held a small demonstration today outside Bean's Schaumburg office.
She voted for HR-44-37, which would make it a felony to be an illegal immigrant.
Bean said the bill, which passed the House, protects the country by strengthening border security.
She said it also requires more screening for cargo entering the country.
In Champaign, hundreds of people turned out today as part of what's being billed as a national day of action in support of immigrants' rights.
And in Bloomington, hundreds more rallied at the old McLean County courthouse, some carrying signs with slogans such as "We don't kill, we don't steal, we do hard work."
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