Governor Signs Controversial Bill on Illegal Immigration

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011 yesterday. H.B. 87 passed both houses of the Georgia Legislature by overwhelming margins on the final day of the session.

“Georgia is a welcoming state with vibrant immigrant communities and a highly diverse population,” Deal said in a press release. “These are strengths that enrich the culture of Georgia and expand our economy. There’s no better way to promote the quality of life of all who live here and no better way to protect taxpayers than upholding the rule of law."

Deal said the immigration reform measure fulfills his promise to Georgians to crack down on the influx of illegal immigrants to the state. Georgia has the sixth-highest number of illegal residents, which he said put a financial strain on Georgia taxpayers.

Opponents are already organizing and calling for a boycott of businesses and conferences in Georgia, much as had been done in Arizona on the passage of the illegal immigration bill that prompted the federal government to sue the state. Deal has said he expects the federal government to challenge Georgia’s law as well but said it is up to the state to do what is necessary until the federal government tackles the issue. He said illegal immigration is a complex and troublesome issue and no state alone can fix it.

“We will continue to have a broken system until we have a federal solution. In the meantime, states must act to defend their taxpayers,” Deal said.

Opponents of the law, including Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council, which is part of the AFL-CIO, have promised to protest the law, which they say will have a negative financial impact on the state and not a positive one as claimed by those who support it. Deal said that is not the case.

“Those who claim that this law will have a negative financial impact on Georgia completely ignore the billions of dollars Georgians have spent on our schools, our hospitals, our courtrooms and our jails because of people who are in our state illegally,” Deal said. “In Georgia, we learned from the state laws elsewhere that raised objections from the federal government. We do not wish to go to war with the federal government. We wish to partner with the federal government to enforce the current law of the nation. Let’s remember: It’s already illegal on every inch of U.S. soil to hire someone who is in this country illegally. What we’ve done in Georgia is create a level playing field for all employers. The use of E-Verify means everyone plays by the same rules – and it protects employers by giving them a federal stamp of approval on their workforce. This also protects workers because those who live in the shadows of our society lack legal protections and they’re vulnerable to fraud and abuse. This legislation was expertly crafted by state Rep. Matt Ramsey to assure that our state protects the constitutional rights of all who live here. Rep. Ramsey knows, as I do, that there’s no better way to promote the rights of individuals than by protecting the rule of law.”

State Rep. Brett Harrell (R-Snellvile) said much of the argument against the bill isn’t factually based on the language of the bill.

“Police Officers are prevented from profiling or checking immigration status so long as the driver has one of several forms of identification. If the driver has no identification and cannot provide any verifiable ID, then the officer may inquire as to immigration status,” Harrell said. “No pastor is charged with a crime for providing humane care and/or counseling. The transportation and harboring provisions apply only when one is "knowingly" aiding an illegal alien for the "purpose of advancing the illegal presence" and/or for personal profit. Pastors are not providing assistance for profit or to primarily aid an illegal activity, they are ministering and will not be charged with a crime.”

Harrell said in his estimation local governments also over-reacted to the private cause of action provisions, but the author of the bill did make further modifications. In all, the bill underwent 22 modifications to address concerns and to ensure charges against local governments would go to an administrative panel instead of a court.

“Bottom line here is if government isn't going to follow the law, why should we expect anyone else to? I have little fear that Georgia will suffer irreparable harm by implementing this legislation. I do not find the legislation inhumane, cruel, or creating an injustice or discriminatory standard, Harrell said, adding “Interestingly, two immigrants without U.S. birth certificates - Rep. David Casas (Canary Islands) and Rep. B.J. Pak (South Korea) - voted in favor of HB 87.”