Missouri Senators debate immigration reform in 2013

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11/ 2/2009: Radio Story - A Group of Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers have turned over nearly 500 illegal immigrants to the federal government since 2007.

4/ 9/2008: Newspaper Story - Missouri House perfected its omnibus immigration bill after opposition from St. Louis and Kansas City representatives

4/ 9/2008: Radio Story - While the Missouri Senate talked about administration proposals and tax breaks for foreign companies, the House passed a bill to crack down on illegal foreigners.

2/ 6/2008: Newspaper Story - Missouri lawmakers are looking to tighten state immigration laws by cracking down on businesses that employ illegal immigrants.

3/ 6/2012: Radio Story - Muslims and other immigrants rallied in front of the state Capitol to oppose proposed immigrant legislation.

Intro:	While significant immigration reform has stalled at the federal level, Missouri Senators tried to take matters into their own hands.
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Wrap: Missouri Senators held an open hearing to discuss possible changes in illegal immigration policy.

The state passed a bill in 2008 that prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving drivers licenses.

Director of an immigrant advocacy group Vanessa Crawford says Missouri's attitude toward immigrants is hurting communities.

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Description: "Placid and explicit local policies against immigrants is a real problem in people's life. That is what is driving people out of communities."

Jackson County Senator, Republican Will Kraus says there is a problem with illegal immigrants getting into car accidents without insurance or licenses.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.

Intro:	Missouri Senators debated the damage the state is doing to itself by closing the doors to illegal immigrants, but also discussed benefits of having legal immigrants in the state.
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Wrap: Republican Senator Will Kraus says Missouri has a problem with immigrants getting into car accidents without insurance.

Democratic St. Louis Senator Maria Chapelle-Nadal says legal immigration can actually improve the state. Just look at Ritenour High in St. Louis.

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Description: "With the diversity that they had. They went up three points in their APR. Just because they were different students there with different backgrounds, it was not a hindrance to their overall outcome."

A spokesperson with a group that advocates immigration for economic growth says Missouri is hurting its economy by turning away illegal immigrants as potential workers.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.