Why do we reject those who have broken our laws to be here? After all, aren't these people trying to make a better life for themselves just like the Ellis Island entrants of a century or more ago? No one begrudges anyone who wants to make a better life for themselves and their families, but we do reject those who would break our laws in coming here, who maintain the view that their presence here is some sort of entitlement, and then have the audacity to suggest that we are wrong to enforce our laws. We are a nation of laws, period. This isn't a suggestion or a theory to be debated with those who hang the American flag upside down and shout into megaphones to get their eight seconds on the evening "news" as they seek to demonize those of us who truly believe in the rule of law. Our laws are the very basis of the strength and stability of our society, and we choose not to risk undermining that strength and stability. As elected representatives of the people, we take an oath to support the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Georgia, and, we swear that we will act in a manner that will be most conducive to the interests and prosperity of the State of Georgia. And that brings us directly to the issue of safeguarding public resources.
The economic recession has forced government at all levels to do more with less, and that means a renewed and sharpened focus on ensuring that taxpayer money (it's not government's money) is used to benefit those who are in this country legally. The Atlanta newspaper reported that Georgia has one of the highest illegal alien populations in the country - surpassing even Arizona. That translates into millions of taxpayer dollars being spent on these individuals in areas such as our corrections and health care systems just to name two. How can we justify spending one taxpayer dollar on people who are here illegally when local governments and school systems are reducing services and firing teachers? We can't. The State of Georgia has a very rational interest in ensuring that these public benefits are expended on individuals who are here legally, and my sense is that this was the primary motivator as to why the vast majority of the General Assembly (Democrat and Republican) supported enactment of HB 87.
But laws are useless if they are not enforced. The critically important E-Verify requirements for employers have been endorsed across the political spectrum: from President Obama on the left to the most conservative members of the U.S. House on the right, and the U.S. Supreme Court recently affirmed the use of the E-Verify system. The enforcement provisions of HB 87 are tough, and they are designed (within limitations set out in Federal law) to enable state and local law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of our immigration laws where allowed. Contrary to some of the radical left hysterics reported throughout the debate, there are no so-called "show me your papers" provisions in the law, there are specific prohibitions against racial profiling and any presumption that law enforcement will go out of its way to target certain individuals or groups is purely speculative, sensational and insults every member of law enforcement in our state.
When we cast aside the distractions, demonization and diatribes, we are left with the simple truth: The people's elected representatives have acted within their discretion with the intent of safeguarding public resources and with the intent of enforcing the law against those who would drain those public resources even as they are here illegally - and that's the operative term.
Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna) is chairman of the House judiciary committee (non-civil.)
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I can provide all the proof you want(from factual audits rather than the emotional fear mongering and political grandstanding of Golick and his gang) that undocumented immigrants are not seeking entitlements and are pouring millions more into our economy than they will ever receive in even basic services.
Regarding the students who are protesting, they were brought here when they were young, have worked hard in schools to get good grades and become model citizens,would love to become citizens, but there is no way under the present laws for them to do so legally. That is what they are protesting for: the passage of the Dream Act which has bi-partisan support but is being blocked by the extremist, right wing (of which Deal, Ramsey and Golick are members)who try to block any immigration reform measures at the federal level which will solve all of these problems (they blocked Bush, McCain, and now Obama from doing so and are major hypocrites when they say the federal govt won't act and that is why they have to pass state laws). These kids are fed up, I applaud them, and there will be more of the same protests spreading to all of the schools and the streets of America, just as the kids did in Birmingham to finally do away with Jim Crow laws, and, thankfully the federal government will give them cover and will not deport them. If you are really a mom then maybe you should get to know them and their stories and feel the compassion that any mom would feel for these kids who have done no wrong. In fact, I will continue to send my kids to protest with them and more and more white and black kids who are citizens are joining their cause.
His arguments are so full of holes that I challenge him to a debate on the issue--but I doubt, just like other bullies who rely on emotion and fear tactics to intimidate others, that he would have the courage to come out in the open and do so.