Gimse's worker ID card idea creates buzz

WILLMAR -- An idea floated recently by Sen. Joe Gimse to offer worker identification cards to undocumented immigrants in Minnesota is generating more than a little buzz -- much of it negative.

The West Central Tribune Online logged more than 100 comments this week. The topic has also been discussed on political blogs around Minnesota.

Gimse, R-Willmar, said he's not surprised by the reaction, and can take the heat for daring to lay a hot topic on the table.

But Gimse said an employer-sponsored identification card program is only one of many ideas to be explored regarding illegal immigrants in the state and fears the firestorm has overshadowed his plans to create a platform for legislative discussion.

The federal government isn't doing anything, he said, so the state needs to.

That's why he sponsored legislation that will be introduced in February to create a standing committee in the House and Senate on immigration. He also formed a legislative caucus to mull issues like the employer-sponsored identification program.

He was inspired to consider the worker ID program after listening to concerns by local law enforcement about the amount of resources that are spent responding to the crime of identification theft.

Illegal immigrants "steal" another person's legal ID to obtain paperwork so that they can get jobs in Minnesota, Gimse said. That theft causes tremendous problems for victims.

Conversations with businesses that hire immigrants and have a difficult time knowing whether identifications are legitimate or not reinforced the need for a new method, Gimse said.

He acknowledges that the worker ID plan has not been totally thought out and would need considerable work, including input from experts and testimony from agencies, before it could be offered as a legislative proposal.

But Gimse said he has not changed his mind that it's an idea worth pursuing.

Gimse expressed concern that people are reading more into the idea than what was intended and have reached "faulty conclusions."

In a written statement, Gimse said he is "not supporting amnesty for illegal immigrants, but rather tighter restrictions for identification that will guard against identity theft."

But he said a worker ID program would interject "a little compassion" to deal with illegal immigrants who are in Minnesota and want to work.