Georgia's Anti-Immigration Bill - HB87

Following are youtube video links of testimony prior to the House vote by several Georgia House Representatives on HB87 as well as news articles and other links about ONE of  Georgia's many anti-immigration bills.  Understand, I do NOT support illegal immigration.


HB87 creates more issues than it resolves.   This bill is short sighted and will cost Georgians far more than most citizens imagine, in part by over criminalization of both citizen and unauthorized residents alike.  In a future post I'll cover some of the multiple issues this bill will create should it be come law.  Thankfully these lawmakers stood up to point out some of the issues.
 

HB87 passed the House and will come up in the Senate shortly.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfnqFcfSSf8&NR=1  Rep. Parent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8tHrsYorS0&feature=related   Rep. Marin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcO-QJkKMOQ&feature=related   Rep. Holcomb (law suits, lawyers employment act, police issues, federal issues)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHTpY2n2yk8&feature=related   Rep. Drenner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oMAS0ZCZHs&feature=related  Rep Kendrick (Jobs, Business, & Civil Rights issues)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U755BUNfx8A&feature=related   Rep Neal (police issues)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcHR7APwfHI&feature=related   Rep. Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyKr-yXLWiI&feature=related   Rep. Smyre

This link iso a small part of the testimony against HB87 while in the Judicial Committee, in weeks prior to the House Vote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbVoqOiy5dQ&feature=related


These are links to the March 12, 2011 Immigration Hearing in Savannah GA
http://www2.wsav.com/news/2011/mar/13/immigration-town-hall-meeting-ar-1575911/
http://www.gpb.org/news/2011/03/12/dems-hear-sympathetic-voices-on-bills


Testimony


http://www.ilw.com/articles/2011,0308-kuck.shtm by Charles Kuck, Immigration Attorney


News Article Coverage

Gainesville GA - Immigration Hearing - February 2011
(This was a general hearing, rather than a bill specific hearing.)


http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/archives/46375/

(One quote from the above article/testimony)
<<"We were 67 percent Hispanic in 2004. Our turnover was 25 percent. Our workers (compensation) cost was $50,000 a month. Our health care cost for the whole year was $8 million. It was about that time that the federal, state and local governments let it be known that these folks are not welcome," Hensley said.
"Fast forward to 2010, we're about 33 percent Hispanic now. Our turnover is 75 percent. Workers comp costs are $150,000 a month. Our health care last year was $20 million. Those are staggering numbers, but that's the economic reality.

"We need comprehensive immigration reform in this country. It has to be a federal program, not the state ... you can't have 50 different laws in 50 different states. I implore you, don't pass any more laws." >>

Savannah - Immigration Hearing - March 2011
(This was a general hearing, rather than a bill specific hearing.)


http://www.savannahbusinessjournal.com/news/local-politics/1017-opposition-to-crack-down-on-georgias-illegal-aliens-at-savannah-hearing

http://www.gpb.org/news/2011/03/12/dems-hear-sympathetic-voices-on-bills

http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/2295425/state_senators_host_forum_on_immigration