WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will lead a discussion on stepping up state and federal efforts to stop illegal immigration and boost enforcement efforts on Monday in Farmington, the site of a recent incident in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials ordered 13 undocumented workers released from custody.  The morning event will feature Emerson, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, State Senator Kevin Engler, State Representatives Dr. Steven Tilley and Linda Fischer, and St. Francois County Commissioner Bret Burgess.

“When we talk about protecting our community and our economy from illegal immigration, it really required a cooperative federal, state, and local effort.  Not only are we going to take a tough stand for jobs in our country, but we are also going to do everything possible to enforce immigration laws designed to keep our country safe,” Emerson said.  “We have plenty of laws and plenty of resources – we need to use them.”

Emerson has discussed the incident with federal officials, including Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and the Assistant Secretary for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and urged them to assess the situation in Southern Missouri.

“I’ve got a commitment from ICE to look at their coverage of Southern Missouri, especially St. Francois County, but I’ve also emphasized that the effort needs to be uniform throughout our state so the problem doesn’t just move around.  To make that effort work, we also need to expand federal programs that train and certify local law enforcement officials to participate in immigration enforcement efforts.  Finally, we have to make sure the people hiring illegal workers know the law, and that they face the consequences when they break it,” Emerson said.