Posted on 04/22/2006 5:27:14 PM PDT by neverdem
While Washington continues to debate the hot-button issue, states are starting to take the matter of undocumented immigrants into their own hands.
While the Senate prepares to return to the thorny issue of immigration reform next week, states are fast becoming a major battleground over the divisive issue. Earlier this week, just as Arizona's Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano vetoed a bill that would have increased criminal penalties and arrest powers over illegal immigrants, Georgia's governor, Republican Sonny Perdue, signed into law one of the nation's toughest. It includes provisions requiring residents who are seeking state social welfare benefits to prove their legal status, as well as mandating that the police check the legal status of everyone they arrest and alert federal authorities to any violations.
The Georgia bill was considered so draconian, in fact, that it quickly sparked a diplomatic war of words. On Tuesday, Mexico's President Vincente Fox declared that Georgia's law included "acts of discrimination" and "half measures insufficient to resolve the complex phenomenon of immigration between Mexico and the United States." The reaction in Georgia to Fox's comments was typical of the heightened rhetoric that has fueled the Act since it was introduced at the beginning of the year. "I would suggest the government of Mexico stop concerning themselves with what we do in Georgia and instead worry about their own corrupt government," replied state Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock).
Georgia's bill may be particularly tough, but it's only one of close to 370 immigrant-related bills proposed in 42 states across the U.S. this year. These include the Ohio Unity English Act, which would require all state and local government documents to be in English only, a Kansas bill that would dramatically reduce the amount of taxpayer money spent on social services for illegal immigrants, and a Maine proposal to require proof of citizenship in order to get a driver's license. Not all, however, are restrictive; a bill in Wyoming would increase educational opportunities for illegal immigrants. The reason for all this legislative activity isn't all that complicated. Says Ann Morse, program director for the National Conference of State Legislatures, "It's the confluence of the sizable numbers of unathorized immigrants, the effects of 911 and the perception that we can't control the borders — and of course the frustration that the federal government isn't doing anything."
In the middle of an election year, it's also not altogether surprising that Georgia's GOP governor signed the Security and Immigration Compliance Act. Even though the state continues to trend more Republican, Perdue faces a very real challenge this fall from Democratic Secretary of State Cathy Cox, and the law commanded broad public support in a state with an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 undocumented immigrants.
Still, as tough as the Georgia bill is, it did ultimately include some notable exceptions. Residents will not have to prove their status to receive emergency medical care, prenatal care and immunizations of children, though cynics say that was done solely in order to withstand court challenges. The Act also targets big business, forcing employers to prove employees are legal and providing for fines if found otherwise.
But that may not be enough for Tisha Tallmann, Southeast regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. She says her organization is still considering a legal challenge to the Act, in part because immigrants, she says, contribute some $200 million to the annual tax base, and should not be denied public services that they help fund. "Instead of waiting for Congress," says Tallmann, "Georgia has decided to take matters into its own hands, signing into law a punitive bill that does nothing to solve this complex issue." Unless Washington can finally tackle that issue, more states will follow Georgia's lead in coming up with their own solutions, however flawed some may think they are.
"As Arizona's Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano vetoed a bill that would have increased criminal penalties and arrest powers over illegal immigrants, Georgia's governor, Republican Sonny Perdue, signed into law one of the nation's toughest."
"Mexico's President Vincente Fox declared that Georgia's law included 'acts of discrimination' and 'half measures insufficient to resolve the complex phenomenon of immigration between Mexico and the United States.'"
...and already one of the 10 most populous states in the Union, Georgia continues to grow by leaps and bounds and giant strides and massive influx of new residents!
I just returned from a trip to Georgia. Wealth, economic power, and population growth are everywhere! The money and growth are startling!
Everywhere you hear: "Where are all these people coming from? And where do they get all this money?"
A friend tells me: "I bought this place 5 1/2 years ago. Since then it has more than tripled in value. In the last 5 months, its value has increased by $100,000 a month! I know. I've had repeated offers to buy it."
As Greg Fulton observes: Georgia continues to trend more Republican!
As I observe: Georgia continues to grow bigger and bigger!
I like this guy!
What's tough about that. That's a no brainer.
Most laws are divisive. They cause friction between the law breakers and the law keepers.
If Fox disapproves, that's good enough for me. Go Sonny! I'm definitely glad that I voted for you and will do so again in November.
I don't know about that. Taylor has Andrew Young's endorsement...that'll probably count for something among black Dems.
My note to the editors at time
Hello,
Time appears to have confused the nomenclature for immigrants. There are plenty (at least 6 million) patiently awaiting legal entry into the USA. They are IMMIGRANTS. There are many more who broke the law to get into this country. They are ILLEGAL ALIENS.
Illegals should not be allowed to "jump to the front of the line" at the expense of law abiding future citizens.
Thanks, Rohn
Suggest every editor at any publication be reminded about the difference.
Just one more battle to be fought in the near future over States rights.
"Perdue faces a very real challenge this fall from Democratic Secretary of State Cathy Cox..."
Doesn't she have to defeat Mark Taylor first?
I'm already seeing commercials for Taylor (he's the big guy, who looks out for the little guy.)
Illegal immigration is not complex, and it's not a phenomenon. The Mexican government is intentionally encouraging its people to enter the United States illegally. It's high time to slap Mexico with a bill for reparations.
"I saw an SUV driven by a soccer mom with a GW Bush sticker on one side and Cathy Cox sticker on the other."
Wow, did we see the same SUV? Was it red? I saw an SUV on my way to work that had a Bush-Cheney bumper sticker and a Cathy Cox bumper sticker on it.
Senor Presidente Fox,
Go to the Chihuahua desert.
Gather several cups of sand.
Pour this sand into the rear of your trousers.
Pound it home until you can taste it.
Georgia needs no advice or remonstrations from you.
Be glad we cannot enact mirror-mirror reciprocity of immigration laws with Mexico - your country's population would immediately swell by about a million irritated repatriated Mexican peons.
So: Be glad... and STFU.
King Prout,
Naturalized Georgian
Your Royal Majesty, King Prout,
Please be advised:
1. Senor Presidente Fox should gather only the finest, sharp pointed Chihuahua Desert Sand.
2. Senor Presidente Fox should first soak said sand overnight in jalepeno juice, before pouring and pounding. This will "enhance the flavor"; and facilitate both ingress and egress of said sand.
3. Senor Presidente Fox should be offered a 3 for 1 deal, amounting to 3 armed illegal American emigrants for every illegal Mexican immigrant.
Long live The King!
Respectfully, etc....
we jess duz whut we kin.
"the perception that we can't control the borders"
Perception? Perception?
What perception? The fool making that remark, Ann Morse, acts like we have been tricked into believing our borders are wide open.
Millions upon millions of illegals in this country and with the promise of amnesty the flood gates are really wide open now.
That kind of remark makes my blood boil!
How are you doing? Haven't seen you posting for quite some time!
I'm sure that Georgia's governor would love to tell Fox to go screw himself.
Border Ping!
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