Posted on 07/26/2007 3:50:14 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
DALTON, Ga. -- Georgia's new immigration law requires certain employers to verify the residency status of new hires.
But, there's no fine for employers who fail to meet the requirement, said Atlanta-based immigration lawyer Jessica Cook.
"Basically, at this point, there doesn't appear to be any enforcement of the law," Ms. Cook said.
State Sen. Don Thomas, R-Dalton, acknowledged Ms. Cook's point.
"I think probably right now she's correct in saying there's not much enforcement," Sen. Thomas said. He said he anticipates "more legislation to try to tighten up the laws and enforce them."
On Wednesday, about 80 employers came to the Dalton Career Center for an immigration law seminar led by Ms. Cook and sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor.
Ms. Cook broke down the basics of the state law.
She said that, as of July 1, employers with more than 500 workers must verify new employees' immigration status using software called the Basic Pilot Program.
The law also applies to government contractors and subcontractors.
Ms. Cook said that Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, explained the "bottom line" of that aspect of the law: "Taxpayer dollars should not be used to pay contractors who knowingly violate federal immigration hiring laws."
But several companies represented at Wednesday's forum don't contract with the government.
Rae Shirah, human resources manager with R&R Textiles, said she came to the forum because she anticipates private companies eventually will be required to verify workers through Basic Pilot.
Ms. Shirah said that learning about the law "helps us stay ahead of the curve rather than behind it."
She added, "It's (the law) not applicable now, but it will be."
Throughout the region, employers have been asking for advice on how to comply with the law, said Jerry Garland, district director for the Georgia Department of Labor.
Mr. Garland oversees 28 counties in North Georgia and recently has been offering more sessions on immigration, he said.
"It's been one of the most demanded seminars that we offer."
E-mail Erin Fuchs at efuchs@timesfreepress.com
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm This does not look good....
PING
PING
ping
But, there's no fine for employers who fail to meet the requirement, said Atlanta-based immigration lawyer Jessica Cook.
Yet another joke law.
Thanks for the ping, TN.
Huh?
Sen. Thomas said. He said he anticipates "more legislation to try to tighten up the laws and enforce them."
Try?
Sen Thomas is going to try? Why were employer penalties not put into it in the first place?
Business as usual.
With more joke laws to come. The following quote is also a joke.
"I think probably right now she's correct in saying there's not much enforcement," Sen. Thomas said. He said he anticipates "more legislation to try to tighten up the laws and enforce them."
They'll enforce the new laws with more laws to make them enforce the other laws they're currently not enforcing.
hehehe
The inmates are running the asylum!!
Did you see this little ditty this morning?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1871748/posts
I am already at my wits end. My children are 16, 15 and 10. At this rate there will be NO USA for them.
Yes I saw that...
Do you live in TN or GA?
“They’ll enforce the new laws with more laws to make them enforce the other laws they’re currently not enforcing”
ROTFLMAO!!
Georgia
Dammit, I thought Georgians had more sense
We do, it is our mealy mouthed representatives that require reigning in. There is so much $$$ in poultry and carpeting (Dalton) that is buys the legislature.
Another snare & delusion meant to fool the sheeple...
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