JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Matt Blunt is to sign legislation imposing new restrictions on illegal immigrants and new requirements on businesses that employ them.
Blunt is scheduled to publicize the bill signing Monday with stops in Joplin and Kansas City.
The legislation requires applicants for food stamps, housing and other public benefits to prove they are in the United States legally. Missouri cities would risk some state aid if community leaders refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Employers would have to start using the E-Verify federal database for their workers if their business is found to have hired an illegal immigrant.
The Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 35,000 to 65,000 illegal immigrants live in Missouri.