By Jung-Ju Lee, Mill Creek High School, Grade 11
March 7, 2011
Recently, a heated debate over the controversial House Bill 87, or “Illegal Immigration Reform Enforcement Act of 2011,” proposed by State Representative Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City in January, has divided the state of Georgia– home to the nation’s seventh largest undocumented immigrant population of 425,000. Stemming from the Arizona immigration law enacted in 2010, House Bill 87 proposes similar measures to arrest the flow of illegal immigrants into Georgia.
The bill would enable citizens over the age of 21 to file legal action against officials, businesses, or government agencies, allegedly suspected of violating the immigration laws and incriminate any person who transports, harbors, employs, or “encourages” the entrance of illegal immigrants in and into the state of Georgia.
A provision of the bill would empower law enforcement officers with the jurisdiction to enforce federal immigration laws and investigate the legal status of any suspected violators they stop. Those who fail to produce a driver’s license or documentation of proof are subject to legal punishment, indefinite detainment, or deportation. Legal residents and citizens are also liable to suffer detainment if they are unable to verify their status with a license at the moment of the investigation.
Under the proposal, private businesses with more than five employees are required to utilize the employment eligibility verification system, or e-Verify, to ensure the legal status of all employees and deprive illegal immigrants of an occupation.
Representative Matt Ramsey responded to opponents of the bill by citing the recent economic downturn that has caused Georgia’s unemployment to rise to record highs and “huge reduction to every segment of the state budget.” Ramsey argued, “This is a common sense step towards ensuring that available job opportunities are afforded only to our legal residents…”
On Tuesday, February 22, 2011, proponents and opponents of the “Illegal Immigration Reform Enforcement Act of 2011” rallied before the state capitol to express their views.
Supporters of House Bill 87 demanded federal action against illegal aliens residing in the state of Georgia who were squandering tax-payer-funded resources and limiting job opportunities for legal residents amid high employment.
Among those for the bill, D.A. King of Dustin Inman Society simply stated, “Illegal immigration is a crime.”
Opponents of the proposal protested against the immigration law that would encourage racial profiling by police officers who were to stop individuals who seemed like “reasonable suspects.” Others pointed out the economic impact the deportation of illegal immigration would have on the Georgia agribusiness that depended on the migrant workers for business.
Still the major concern of the protestors was the question of the infringement of human rights in regards to the constitutionality and effectiveness of the bill as Edward Dubose of NAACP replied, “They’re not going to solve the problem by taking people and throwing them out of the country.”
Georgia locals and students were randomly interviewed and asked to voice their opinion on the matter.
“This nation has been made by immigrants and as much as we don’t wish to admit, illegal immigrants provide us with much of the low income work force. Our economy would certainly feel the effects of the deportation of these people.” – Cindy Choi, an immigrant who entered the United States in 1998.
I mean if this is enforced well i think that it should help with the situation although i feel like it is very strict especially if someone leaves their liscense at home and is seen as an illegal immigrant
“If this I enforced effectively, I think it should help the employment situation although I feel like it is very strict, especially if someone leaves their license at home and is seen as an illegal immigrant.” – Madison Hellsten, Suwanee
For starters, that phrase “encourage” illegal immigration is going too far. I’m pretty sure Americans aren’t going to be so quick to fill in for the jobs of illegal immigrants; not everybody dreams of working on farms or in small businesses, like restaurants. More importantly, those immigrants aren’t just taking money, they’re consuming too. When they buy products at a Walmart or Kroger, they put money back into the economy. – Guillermo Bautista, Mill Creek High School
“It’s neigh unconstitutional to file charges against an independent company based on who they hire. Moreover, if the company isn’t getting punished, but the illegals getting enticed are, it can fall under baiting just like a police officer antagonizing someone, then arresting them on stupid charges.” – Eric Yi, Peachtree Ridge High School
“Every community should unite against HB 87 to protect the strength and diversity of our state.” – Mrs. Ward, Atlanta
“Attempts to stop illegal immigration are pointless as long as America is richer, freer, and more successful than other nations of the world. We cannot deport twelve million people; they are here to stay. Our job now is to find out how to integrate them into mainstream American culture.” – Chet Martin, Peachtree Ridge High School
As the Georgia Legislators convened on Friday, February 25, to begin considering the bill, the controversy merely rages on as Georgia prepares itself for the final vote that would determine whether Georgia would join Arizona in the war over illegal immigration that has become a central issue in our nation’s future.
