The most comprehensive of a series of bills seeking to make Maryland a less hospitable place for illegal immigrants got a cold reception in a legislative committee yesterday, as lawmakers questioned whether it would cost more to implement than it would save.
Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell, the minority leader from Southern Maryland, proposed cutting off all state benefits to those who cannot prove they legally reside in the U.S., exempting only the benefits that are required by federal law, such as emergency health care and public education.
"Those who come here illegally detract from those who come here legally," said O'Donnell, who opened his remarks by noting that he was the grandson of immigrants and supported legal immigration. He added that the legislation was passed in Colorado by a Democrat-dominated legislature and "was recommended" this year by the Council of State Governments, a nonpartisan national public policy organization.
But he was met with skepticism by members of the House Appropriations Committee, who pressed O'Donnell on what precise impact the measure would have in the state.
"What evidence do you have that this is a problem in Maryland?" asked Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez, a Montgomery County Democrat and immigrant advocate who has said many of the 30 bills dealing with immigration this session are "hate-filled."
O'Donnell said he did not have any and expressed disappointment that a report from the Department of Legislative Services did not more clearly delineate what the impact of the bill would be. He added that he believed state agencies that claimed the measure would be too costly to implement were being recalcitrant.
That answer prompted a rebuke from Del. Mary-Dulany James, a Cecil County and Harford County Democrat, who urged him to be more prepared.
"Please try and gather as much information as you can so we have a better sense of what is this problem that needs a solution," she said.
O'Donnell replied: "I guess I'm not nearly as adequate a legislator as you are." He went on to say he hoped to work with the committee and wanted the bill to be a first step to discussing the issue.
Citing a 2007 report by the Congressional Budget Office, Maryland legislative analysts wrote that legal and illegal immigrants pay more in taxes than they use in government services, due largely to the fact that they are ineligible for most federal programs, including Social Security, food stamps and Medicaid.
