Topeka ? A Kansas lawmaker Friday filed legislation seeking tougher penalties for illegal immigrants who are convicted of crimes.

Sen. Phil Journey, R-Haysville, says most immigrants here illegally are law-abiding people who are trying to better their lives.

But, he added, for those who commit crimes, “they need to be dealt with more forcefully.”

One measure, SB 124, would prohibit allowing a suspended sentence, conditional release, community service or probation for any illegal immigrant who is convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison.

Another Journey bill, SB 125, would increase bail amounts for illegal immigrants who are arrested.

Journey said his first bill is needed because technically it is impossible for illegal immigrants to serve probation and report to a probation officer because they are not legally allowed to reside in the U.S.

He said higher bail is necessary because illegal immigrants who are arrested pose a greater risk of fleeing the country.

Rekha Sharma-Crawford, an Overland Park attorney whose practice focuses on noncitizen rights, said the proposals were “unworkable and have some severe consequences that haven’t been explored.”

She said forcing illegal immigrants to serve their entire sentence would tax the criminal justice system and also the immigrants’ families, who may be citizens.

“This will make it harder for families who have a path or way to legalize their status,” Sharma-Crawford said.

On the bail issue, she said illegal immigrants are less of a risk to flee because they and their families also have to post hefty federal bonds.