Montana House OKs bills aimed at illegal immigrants

HELENA — The House on Wednesday passed a pair of bills targeting illegal immigrants who are seeking jobs with Montana employers and trying to obtain state government services. Rep. David Howard, R-Park City, sponsored both measures, which face a final House vote before moving to the Senate. Both passed on largely party line votes, with most Republicans voting for them and all Democrats, plus some Republicans, opposing them. House Bill 274 would make it a crime for employers with 25 or more workers to hire “unauthorized aliens.” Employers would be required to use the federal electronic verification system to make...