But, they said, increased border security is necessary to keep the country safe from terrorists. To help manage the illegal population, they advocated stricter penalties for employers.

Mayor Kevin Smith said he wasn’t aware that the conference was coming to town, or the group holding it, but he had welcoming words for immigrants.

“The U.S. has been filled by waves of immigration throughout our history. I think the desire of people immigrating to the U.S. is democracy, people wanting to live in a free society,” he said. “It bodes well for the U.S. from that standpoint. The reality is, the immigrants of today will be our schoolteachers, policemen, bank presidents and lawyers.”

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If you go:
What: Anti-immigration meeting
When: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Days Inn, 5901 S. Scatterfield Road
Hosted By: Indiana Toleration for Immigration Reform and Enforcement
Cost: $30 at the door (does not include lunch)
For information: (219) 916-2085