Kansas Ag Secy wants to make it legal to hire illegal immigrants

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas Agriculture Secretary is pushing to make it legal to hire illegal immigrants on farms and ranches.

Secretary Dale Rodman says there aren't enough workers who are willing to take on the hard labor.  He is seeking a waiver from the Homeland Security Department.  So far, officials there are considering the idea but haven't made a decision.

Under Rodman's plan, immigrants would be screened and turned away if they have a criminal record.

Kansas lawmakers are set to introduce a bill outlining the plan this week.

Supporters say the plan is a step in the right direction. 

"If there is a need and there is workers, lets connect the work and lets provide a viable legal source for these two to connect ," said Emira Palacios, with the Sunflower Community Action League.

But opponents argue there are other ways to fill these jobs.

"Where does allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the country and putting them in a preferred status to work come in as being constitutional?" said Craig Gabel with Kansans for L iberty.

Tea Party activists call the plan a disappointment and question Gov. Sam Brownback's administration on whether other plans are being considered.