The Hattiesburg American, 8/27/8
Although U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker declined to speak specifically on Monday’s raid of Howard Industries in Laurel – resulting in the detaining of more than 500 employees suspected to be illegal workers – he did say Monday’s incident sheds light on the need for more “zealous” immigration enforcement in the country.
I’ve taken a hard line approach to my votes on illegal immigration,” Wicker told the Hattiesburg American editorial board Tuesday. “My system has basically been two-pronged.”
Wicker said he has supported legislation to increase military presence on the country’s border with Mexico and a more stringent employment verification system.
“We need to make sure the E-Verify system is as accurate and instantaneous as it can be,” he said. “I know there are people who think it’s inaccurate, (but) it seemed to be a system on the right track to me.”