House panel backs weakened immigration bill

An Indiana House committee has approved a watered-down immigration proposal a day after removing a contentious provision that would have given police officers more latitude to ask people for proof that they are in the country legally.

The House Public Policy committee voted 6-5 along party lines Friday to send the bill to the full House.

Democratic Rep. Terri Austin of Anderson said the committee had little time to consider the changes and that more time should be taken on such substantial public policy.

The bill would still revoke certain tax credits for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and would check the immigration status of criminal offenders.