Did you hear the good news concerning Georgia's new illegal immigration policy?
Monday, July 02, 2007 - 04:27 PM
On the heels of another defeat for national reform of illegal immigration policies, Georgia's own response went into effect Sunday.
Senate Bill 529, adopted with much debate and fanfare a year ago, is slated to slowly start adding new requirements for verifying workers' citizenship status and cracking down on those who prey on illegal immigrants.
Although Georgia received national attention for being the first state to move ahead on its own while Congress remained deadlocked on illegal immigration, SB 529 actually makes few sweeping changes initially.
Beginning Monday, large companies wanting to do business with local or state government agencies had to show they have registered to use the federal Employment Eligibility Verification Program, an online database run by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Also known as the Basic Pilot Program, the check is free for employers who will be required to check the status of any new workers hired after last Sunday and see if their Social Security numbers are valid.
During this first year SB 529 is in effect, only companies with 500 employees or more will be made to participate if they want to bid on government contracts in Georgia.
As it gets phased in, all contractors and subcontractors working with the state or local governments will be required to enroll after July of 2009.
The Georgia Department of Labor recently released how it will implement the verification rules, but Commissioner Michael Thurmond said there has been little response from the contracting and building communities which have been preparing for the new law.
"Many have already participated voluntarily, especially the larger employers, which will be this first group," Thurmond said.
More than 500 Georgia companies already are participating in the verification system, based on a recent check.
Thurmond said some questions still remain about the new law's verification requirements, including whether major companies based outside the state will have to comply if they have fewer than 500 workers in Georgia now. Thurmond said he would not be surprised if legislators revisit it to add more measures on the enforcement end of the law.
"The legislation didn't speak to that particular aspect of it," he said. "We proposed a system of random audits, but that was not funded. Hopefully, in the future, that will be."
Answer:
That is very good news indeed! My state, SC, had several excellent immigration bills in committee, but the cowards in state government refused to even bring them up for a vote. I am sure that they got a lot of pressure from the agricultural industry which is very powerful in SC.
The Georgia immigration laws are probably the toughest in the nation, or perhaps it is OK's laws, and they should be a blueprint for other state's to adopt.
We should keep up pressure on Congress to pass The Secure Borders FIRST Act of 2007, sponsored by Congressmen Peter King and Lamar Smith because the current status quo is unacceptable. Also, contact the White House and demand that they enforce our border laws and build the border fence!
Yes. I read newspapers too. Was that your question?
Why don't every state do this and we can tell congress to go pound sand?
yes
Most illegal immigrants don't work for large corporations anyway, so I don't really see how this will make much of a difference. Most companies do verify your social security number. My husband, who is a legal immigrant had a heck of a time getting a job because his new social security number has no credit history. He finally ended up getting a warehouse job despite the fact he has experience in a much better paying field. Responsible corporations already do this anyhow.
They still won't catch the scum bags that employ people at lower then minimum wage with no benefits.
Ain't life great! I only wish the laws were a little more strict.
I don't know why they would do that.
If an undocumented immigrant goes to Georgia, he or she must be lost (no offense).
This is great. It's been a terrific day for the American people!!
Yes, and when the bleeding heart judges and the illegal supporters start protesting in Georgia, we all need to be aware and help our fellow citizens and support their efforts to secure their state for posterity.
We need to watch the situation there and encourage other states to follow in their steps.
The illegals and their supporters are already hostile to the new laws.
The Immigration information post by website user , MyTend.com not guarantee correctness.
More Immigration Questions and Answers ...