Huntsville, AL – More than 270 people packed a lively public hearing on illegal immigration last night that was interrupted when some crowd members taunted a Hispanic speaker.
At one point a police officer briefly stopped the meeting to calm the audience at the second public hearing of the Joint Interim Patriotic Immigration Commission.
The 21-member panel was created last year by the Legislature after lawmakers were unable to pass bills dealing with illegal immigration.
During the session, speakers complained about the cost of illegal immigration to taxpayers for health care and social services.
But when it came time for Hispanic speakers to give the other side, some in the audience shouted taunts and did not want to listen.
Most speakers said the state needs to do more to curtail illegal immigration and to stop businesses from hiring undocumented workers.
The commission's goal is to make policy recommendations on illegal immigration for the 2008 legislative session. The commission also plans public hearings January 10th in Hoover and January 17th in Mobile.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)