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Sheriff says governor’s inaction on immigration reform is costing jobs

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 7:05 PM Wednesday, June 22, 2011

HAMILTON — Butler County’s outspoken sheriff says the governor’s inaction on immigration reform is costing jobs in Ohio.

Sheriff Richard K. Jones sent a letter Wednesday to Gov. John Kasich, stating: “You have been in office for nearly six months now. I heard you say in a speech that ‘illegal is illegal’ and ‘what part of that don’t they understand?’”

Eight states have passed or are considering immigration reform laws “to provide remedies for their illegal population,” Jones wrote, noting that South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley soon plans to sign such legislation that has passed her state’s House and Senate.

“It appears that this is not a priority with you and your office,” Jones wrote. “It should be a priority for you if you are looking at jobs, jobs, jobs,” said the sheriff, who said illigal immigrants “are taking jobs away from Ohioans.”

Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said the governor welcomes any and all ideas, including the immigration reform issues from Jones.

“The governor agrees we need to do everything we can to create jobs for Ohioans,” Nichols said, “and he welcomes ideas from the sheriff and from everyone else on fiscal policies, tax polices and the work force policies like those mentioned by the sheriff.”

Cincinnati Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Alfonso Cornejo said immigration laws similar to Arizona and what’s anticipated in South Carolina will not help Ohio.

“Instead of jobs, jobs, jobs, this is hate, hate, hate,” he said. “This is exactly the last thing we want to do in a state that’s struggling for growth.”

He said illegal immigrants are not taking jobs away, but rather doing jobs many Americans don’t want. Cornejo said 70 percent of those working agricultural jobs in the state are Hispanic.

Jones is known for his plans to curb illegal immigration in Butler County. Here’s a short list of what Jones has done:

• last October he wanted to sue Mexico for the cost of incarcerating its citizens and was looking for a pro bono attorney to help;

• has posted a sign,“Illegal Aliens Here” with an arrow pointing to the county jail;

• a few years ago mailed the U.S. government a $70,000 bill for housing illegal immigrants in the jail

• has campaigned with Rep. Courtney Combs, R-Hamilton, to get an Arizona-like immigration reform bill passed in Ohio. He also has twice traveled with Combs to the Arizona border.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or mpitman@coxohio.com. Follow at twitter.com/mdpitman.

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