Posted on 11/15/2006 5:12:08 AM PST by Oshkalaboomboom
In what is believed to be one of the most sweeping crackdowns in the state, Cherokee County is considering fining property owners who rent apartments to illegal immigrants.
Under the proposal, property owners would have to prove that their tenants are in the country legally. If not, individual landlords could be fined — and larger apartment complexes risk having their business licenses suspended.
Similar measures have been enacted in Texas, California and Pennsylvania. The Association County Commissioners of Georgia believes Cherokee County's proposal is the first of its kind in the state.
"If more and more county governments begin to enact codes such as this, it may send a message," said Cherokee County Commissioner Derek Good. "Come here the right way and be welcomed with open arms. Come the wrong way, and frankly, it's not going to be so comfortable."
The idea, though, doesn't sit well with some landlords.
"That is just stupid talk," said George Ledford, who rents out two mobile homes in southwest Cherokee County and says he asks for U.S. identification from potential tenants.
Tenants aren't happy, either.
"If they don't rent to us, where are we going to live?" said Miguel Rodríguez, who came to Cherokee from Zacatecas, Mexico, and was trying to find work Tuesday on a street corner as a day laborer.
Rodríguez, who says he is here illegally, rents a trailer in Cherokee County with five other men, who split the $170 weekly rent.
The ordinance, he said, would discriminate against Hispanics, some of whom won't be able to make a living if they don't have a place to live.
"For those who are illegal like me, taking away housing is like taking away our jobs," Rodríguez said. "If there is no place to live, then we can't work either. Where are we going to go, to the woods?"
Commissioner Karen Mahurin, who introduced the ordinance last week, said illegal immigrants strain local resources, such as schools, emergency medical services and law enforcement.
"It is the local level that pays the bills, and [illegal immigration] has the effect of lowering the quality of life locally," said Mahurin, who hopes the ordinance would discourage illegal immigrants from moving to fast-growing Cherokee.
"I'm sure it won't take care of the problem 100 percent," Mahurin said. "But it's another tool in the arsenal."
The ordinance, if approved, would cover unincorporated areas and wouldn't apply to Cherokee County's cities — such as Canton and Woodstock — which have the largest share of rental units in the county.
Under the proposal, the county marshal, prompted by a written complaint, would launch an investigation. Property owners would have to collect and provide information and documents from their tenants, which the county would then verify with the federal government.
The proposal has drawn support from four of the five Cherokee County commissioners, with the fifth saying the idea is worth considering. All five commissioners are Republicans.
The commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposal at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the courthouse in Canton. They have not scheduled a vote on the matter, and it's not clear when the ordinance — if approved — would go into effect.
Across Georgia, there may be as many as 470,000 illegal immigrants living in the state, according to estimates by the Department of Homeland Security. The state, the federal agency says, has one of the fastest-growing populations of illegal immigrants in the country.
In Cherokee, nearly 10 percent of the 183,000 residents are foreign-born, according to 2005 census estimates. No one knows for certain how many may be living here illegally.
Fair or foul?
But some question whether Cherokee County's measure is fair.
Tisha Tallman, regional counsel with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, said her organization will fight the ordinance.
"It is very similar to ordinances in other states that we have opposed," Tallman said. "And we intend to oppose Cherokee County's as well."
This year, the town of Hazleton, Pa., approved fining landlords and requiring renters to register to make sure they were there legally. It has not been enforced because of a lawsuit challenging its legality.
Escondido, Calif., passed a similar ordinance and is being sued. And just this week, Farmers Branch, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, passed a similar rental ordinance. One commissioner said he expected the county to be sued.
In Georgia, a few local officials have called the Association County Commissioners of Georgia to ask about such ordinances, said Ross King, the association's deputy director.
The group is cautioning counties in moving forward because of the possibility of lawsuits — and because it views the matter as a federal issue.
"We are counting on federal officials," King said, "before we dive headlong into public policy on the local level."
How about going back to where you came from?
"The ordinance, he said, would discriminate against Hispanics...."
WRONG, It discriminates against ILLEGALS, whatever their ethnic origin.
coulda done this six years ago--12 years ago--25 years ago...why now???
These laws will be overturned by judges, of course, as they always are because the will of the people is the last thing government listens to. A municipality should take a less overt tack. Pass laws against having mobile homes within its jurisdiction. Make every apartment complex have 2000 sq. ft. apartments, elaborate security systems, and gated access...thus pricing undesirables out of the community. Hey, it works for Martha's Vineyard and Chapaqua and the Hamptons. Why should the "evil rich" be able to exclude illegals from living nearby...while employing them as maids, gardeners, and other menial jobs?
Go back home illegals, and your wonderful govt. will take care of everything. This country is tired of being Mexico's Welfare Dept.!
Better late than never.
"If they don't rent to us, where are we going to live?" said Miguel Rodríguez, who came to Cherokee from Zacatecas, Mexico,"
How about 'Zacatecas'?
Tenants aren't happy, either.
Life sucks. Get over it.
Correction: Shoulda done this six years ago -- 12 years ago--25 years ago
As to the why part, I suspect, as it is with SE Tennessee, the sheer number of illegals has grown to the point where it is obvious, even to the casual observer, that there is a serious problem.
I read a report recently that just up the road in Dalton, Ga, the Dalton School system is now over 60% Hispanic. The burden this is causing for the local schools in terms of teaching English as a second language, the need for bilinqual text books, etc., and as a result, the financial burden on the tax payers, is enormous.
Meanwhile, in other news, the new DemocRat majority in Congress announces plans to kill the 700 mile fence along the southern border.......
Wrong. Law enforcement would have to prove that they are not in the country legally. Innocent until proven guilty. This will be overturned.
Illegals have overrun Atlanta and surrounding areas. It's getting as bad as Florida here now.
I live in cherokee county, georgia and it's about time..
Trailer Parks on Belles Ferry Road just North on Route 92 might be a good place to check out!!!
We are paying a lot more for these illegal immigrants than we would be for legal Americans. Why not do the right thing as these towns are and stop this craziness?
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