Death in Juarez

http://blogs.forbes.com/oshadavidson/2011/04/07/a-death-in-juarez-how-u-s-immigration-policy-is-tearing-american-families-apart/#post_comments

The $66 million fortress of a consulate is surrounded by a moat of heavily armed men, who guard it against an almost unimaginably brutal civil war raging just outside the golden zone. Ciudad Juárez, population 1.3 million, is sometimes called the “murder capital of the Americas”—a fitting description for a city that has seen roughly 7,000 killings in less than three years, including more than 3,100 last year.

Located just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, Juárez is ground zero in a bloody clash between the Mexican government and the drug cartels that feed Americans’ craving for cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The “narco-war” includes turf battles between rival cartels. Since late 2006, when President Felipe Calderón launched a military offensive against the cartels, officials put the national death toll at more than 30,000.

Seem like the US should move the facility to the United States.  That would help our economy and allow for better protection of area residents, not to mention consulate workers while giving the US citizen families more peace of mind.

Immigration foes are working to tear the United States apart.  Some argue "states rights" and endorse succession from the United States. (That seems extremist in my book.)  In doing so they are fueling problems not only in the United States but in other countries as well.  It's unfortunate (to say the least) that so many people believe the false information that these groups spread.

Our lives are hectic today.  Many people are busy trying to raise families and make ends meet.  As a result they don't have the time or energy to think about issues they don't believe directly affect them.  But immigration impacts all of us.  Thinking people including religious leader, teachers and lawmakers need to look at this issue and THINK.

The conversation needs a new direction.   
For starters, the Visa processing center needs to be moved from Juarez to the United States, if not for everyone, definitely for those who are family of United States citizens.

In 2009, more than 94,000 Mexicans came to Juárez to apply for permanent resident status. Many, like Monica’s husband Alvaro, were undocumented and living gainfully in the United States. In past decades, applying would have been no big deal for such people. Thanks partly to a 1965 Great Society law that emphasized the need to keep families intact, applicants already living in the United States could petition for a change of status without having to leave.

Isn't it better to keep those dollars in the United States?  Isn't it better for the safety and peace of mind of Consulate workers?  Isn't it better for the citizen family members of applicants?   

  

3rd Graders Homework Assignment on Illegal Immigration

This news article from 11Alive (Atlanta GA)  left me nearly speechless.  No wonder there are so may problems with bullying and hate when children are given assignments and answer/choices such as these.

Maybe that's why so many parents home school.

One of the multiple choice questions on the assignment was question #6:

What does the U.S. do with illegal aliens?
A. The U.S. puts them to work in the army.
B. The U.S. shoots them into outer space.
C. The U.S. puts them to death.
D. The U.S. sends them back where they came from.

It would be understandable if students who listen to the news answered incorrectly.  It could be a difficult multiple choice elimination process.

A.  Those in the anti-immigration movement don't want "illegals" working, so that can't be right BUT military service was part of the failed DREAM Act.
B.  Two Georgia lawmakers, Yates and Murphy as well as Kansas Representative Peck have suggested shooting, BUT that was with guns, not shooting the immigrant into outer space.
C.  The lawmakers shooting suggestions didn't mention "shoot to wound" so presumably, it would be shoot to death. 
D.  Doesn't the US have "Due Process?" before making a determination and issuing punishment?

What were they thinking...

Oh, I know! They were teaching  DISRESPECT of other humans.  Why else would they teach children to label someone "illegal?"

Immigration News and How It Relates to Georgia

While watching a group of Georgia lawmakers in 2010, listening to testimony regarding immigration, I became extremely concerned. The aura reminded me of an era when the KKK was extremely active, when schools were segregated.  I didn't like the tone or direction; it was hate-filled.  Those who presented information contrary to the pre-drawn conclusion where discounted, sometimes with obvious disdain.  Their words were twisted and spun by elected officials; those who craft our laws.  It was apparent those responsible for making law, did NOT know the law or the issues.  Worse, they didn't want to.  Rhetoric Reigned!  It was NOT a fair or impartial hearing.   

I like most others hadn't been paying much attention for some years.  I had some "catching up" to do, and began reading materials from many sources and viewpoints.  (I don't believe everything I read in the papers or on the internet.)   That research was an eye-opener as the issue and driving forces are bigger than you might imagine.  As time allows, links will be posted here, with comments as to how some of it ties together.  Most will be shorter than this one.
 
White Supremacists March Against Illegal Immigration

This demonstration photo link is included because HATE groups are alive and active in the anti-immigration movement, not only in California but Georgia too.  Here is a link to the photos of the March captured by a California photographer and included on a "The Patch" in Glendora, CA news site.
"Skin heads & swastikas" tell a lot about those who support the movement. 

Anti-Immigration Movement is BIG Business for Private Prison Systems see the Business Week Article

Taxpayers are paying about $90 per day per prisoner 

in ICE contracted

facilities operated by CCA. 

Take a look at the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) map of facilities.  Then think about where anti-immigration legislation is heavily focused throughout the nation.  Yes, Georgia has these facilities and others coming. 

It isn't prudent to lock up people who have only committed minor crimes, like "Driving without a License" (they are "unlicense-able" because they are undocumented.) 

Many have committed no crime other than "being" here without papers.  Remember, those brought here as children, grow up, graduate high school and want to live the American Dream like everyone else.  Rather than passing the DREAM Act so they can join the military, college or community service - WE set them up for a free trip to prison.  

They don't view their land of birth as "home."  Their heart is in the United States.  Prisons teach inmates how to be better criminals.  There are better ways to handle this and more productive uses for taxpayer money.

Right now the average wait until the first immigration hearing is around 46 days so CCA has a great revenue stream since ICE (federal taxpayer dollars) pays $90 per day - per prisoner.  Yes, CCA has INCENTIVE to see that the anti-immigration movement is loud and strong.

CCA already has a strong presence in the State of Georgia, operating a total of five prisons and detention centers, employing approximately 1,500 corrections professionals with about $54 million annual payroll and paying nearly $8 million in property taxes and utilities annually. In addition to owning and operating the Wheeler Correctional Facility in Alamo and the Coffee Correctional Facility in Nicholls for Georgia,

CCA owns and operates the McRae Correctional Facility in McRae on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

For Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CCA owns and operates the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin and operates the North Georgia Detention Center in Gainesville. Collectively, CCA is responsible for more than 7,000 inmates and detainees in Georgia.

These are two known to be in the works:

• September 17, 2010 – Nashville, TN - CCA, the nation's leader in partnership corrections, has been awarded a contract by the Georgia Department of Corrections to manage up to 1,150 male inmates in the CCA Jenkins Correctional Center, which will be designed, constructed, owned and operated by CCA on property currently owned by the company in Millen, Ga.  in Jenkins County according to this press release.

• Even though Corrections Corporation of America doesn’t have a bid to build a prison in Bainbridge yet, a company official visiting here Wednesday said it’s a good bet that there will be one. Jay Hollis, project manager of site acquisition for Corrections Corporation of America said the company goes to great lengths to be pre-emptive and be more competitive. and a large one under-construction near Savannah.

CCA needs and wants to fill bed vacancies.  The following is from CCA's 2010 Third Quarter financial press release

As of October 31, 2010, we had approximately 11,000 unoccupied beds at facilities that had availability of 100 or more beds, and an additional 1,124 beds under development. This inventory of beds available is reduced to approximately 10,000 beds after taking into consideration the beds committed pursuant to management contracts.

Looks like federal and state governments need to step up efforts to fill these vacant CCA prison beds.  I say this "tongue in cheek/"

As DeWayne Wickham suggests, one motive of anti-immigration:

In states like Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, Republicans are pushing anti-immigration bills that critics believe are meant to curb the growing voting strength of Hispanics.

Britton Lofton of Politic365 writes:

What we are not seeing in regular media coverage is how crazy some states are running with immigration enforcement bills.  The effort can only be compared to the manner in which post-Civil War legislatures drafted bills to keep Blacks from gaining citizenship.  While the circumstances surrounding citizenship for undocumented immigrants and African Americans are like ‘night and day,’ a common thread exists with respect to legislative action to abridge citizenship rights.

Through Republican-led efforts, sixteen state legislatures are strongly considering similar legislation to Arizona’s SB 170, including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Utah, Virginia.

Such actions have shades of Post-Reconstruction America.

Insanity perks in capitols

Like Republican Virgil Peck of Kansas, TWO lawmakers from Georgia have also suggested shooting to kill at the border. State Rep John Yates (R-Griffin), who was reelected, first suggested shooting to kill at the border in October 2010. Here's some video of his comments. Then, in January 2011, Senator Jack Murphy, sponsor of SB40, another anti-immigration bill, made similar comments.

What ever happened to the presumption of innocents? Remember, "presumed innocent until proven guilty?" Inciting hateful sentiments that may urge others to action they believe "sanctioned" by lawmakers is irresponsible and ANTI-American.

Under our Constitution, all people – not just citizens – are entitled to a presumption of innocence, as guaranteed by the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth amendments. Only a judge, not a journalist, politician, or even a police officer, can ascertain whether someone is in the country illegally.

Georgia Can Learn from Arizona Business Leaders

Georgia can learn from the mistakes made by Arizona.  With a year of controversy and experience under their belt, this week Arizona rejected five additional "illegal" immigration related bills.  Business leaders stood up and said, "No more!" with a letter to the Governor.
Here are links to two of the articles: 

• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42141129/ns/us_news/  

• http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/03/16/20110316wed1-16-new.html 

Georgia lawmakers proposed legislation with components similar to those REJECTED by Arizona this session.  While I have not read the Arizona bills, I am familiar with those in Georgia.

One of the (Arizona) rejected bills would have required hospitals to contact federal immigration officials or local law enforcement if people being treated lack insurance and can't demonstrate legal status.

Also defeated was a bill to require schools to file reports on enrollments of illegal immigrant students.

Georgia HB296, if passed would require hospitals determine who is "legal" vs "illegal" and document the numbers for the State of Georgia.  So far there is no mention of insured vs uninsured.  This same bill requires Georgia schools tabulate numbers of "illegal" students.  Logically in order to comply with the law if passed, both entities would need identifying records to support their data.   

The fifth bill was a sweeping measure sponsored by Pearce. It would have made it a crime for illegal immigrants to drive in Arizona. It also had provisions on registering vehicles, workplace hiring and various public benefits. It would ban illegal immigrants from attending Arizona's public universities and community colleges. The state does not now have a ban but it does require illegal immigrants to pay higher, non-resident tuition rates.

Georgia barred undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses several years ago.  Hence they are unable to register vehicles and obtain license plates/tags.  Until that point they could be tested for a driver's license, register vehicles and buy vehicle insurance.  People still drive, but thanks to that law change, promoted by the Dustin Inman Society, undocumented drivers are no longer tested or insured.  Now, if an accident occurs, the licensed driver's "uninsured motorist" coverage must be utilized. That change also generated an increase in arrests for Driving with No Valid License thereby taking valuable law enforcement, corrections and court time. 

Georgia barred undocumented students from five public universities and began charging out-of-state tuition at the remaining technical colleges, colleges and universities in 2010.  Georgia's HB59 seeks to bar them from ALL Georgia public colleges and universities, based in part on the theory that their presence MIGHT take the seat of a Georgia citizen.  As a result, a straight A undocumented student can not attend college but a C minus student can.  Yet those here on Student Visas can attend and pay out-of-state tuition, though their families do not pay taxes here as do undocumented students.  Additionally, out of state tuition pays MORE than the cost of  education hence it MAKES money for the state university system and thereby reduces costs to citizens/taxpayers.

Pearce's bill also would have required eviction of public housing tenants who let illegal immigrants live with them and make applicants for vehicle titles and registration prove they are in the country legally.

Georgia's HB87  would create a new law with multiple NEW CRIMINAL OFFENSES and penalties, eviction isn't one of them. 

• Even licensed drivers, could be arrested, jailed, fined AND have the vehicle seized for having an undocumented adult passenger in a vehicle under the "transporting" provision.  As a result a "mixed status family" would lose their vehicle.  Mom could be arrested, jailed and fined for driving Dad to the store.  ICE could be contacted and Dad sent to federal detention.  One can assume that unless there is a documented family member who could immediately pick up the children, that they would be sent to foster care.    
• Under the "Sheltering" section providing housing to an undocumented person would be a crime, even for married mixed status couples.  So, a husband or wife can be arrested, jailed and fined for providing "shelter" and food to their undocumented spouse - the parent of their children.  Same applies to roommate situations.  If this becomes law it might be hard to find apartment property managers and leasing agents as it could land them in prison. 

Maybe eviction wasn't included as Georgia  lawmakers prefer costly corrections systems remedies.  Georgia has by far the highest number of people under the jurisdiction of the corrections system:  1 in 13  is either an inmate in jail or prison or on parole or probation. Nationwide the figure is 1 in 31 according to the Pew Center.  (See page 7 for a US map of rates in each state)

The Corrections Corporation of American has multiple private prisons in Georgia.  It's big business.  

Majority (Arizona) Republicans were split in their votes on the defeated bills, which included two measures intended to force a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against automatic citizenship for U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants. 

The good news is Georgia has yet to introduce bills regarding citizenship for those born here to undocumented parents; the bad news is - it's being discussed.  

  

 

Georgia's Anti-Immigration Pending Legislation

If Georgia citizens realized what these anti-immigration bills will do if enacted THEY would run for the border and escape Georgia.  The legislation won't accomplish what the public wants but unfortunately it will cost taxpayers and business dearly.   

Arizona business leaders are distressed over the situation created by that states anti-immigration legislation.  Sixty of Arizona's big company leaders sent a letter to Arizona this week.   There is a link to the letter in the Arizona Republic News.

Police resources are already stretched thin.  These "new crimes" will distract police focus away from  higher/serious offenders (Level I & II) in the community and put the focus on immigrants who may have been riding a bicycle or fishing without a license.

Additionally some of the legislation will further burden the child welfare system when one parent is jailed for one of these "new crimes" and the other is sent to ICE detention.

Some Georgia jurisdictions already participate in the 287g program which has also experienced controversy.   

House Bill 59 - Would bar undocumented aka unauthorized immigrants from attending Georgia public universities and technical colleges even if they pay higher out-of-state tuition (as the current law allows).  Those paying out of state tuition actual pay more than the costs of the universities, so undocumented students are funding the education of citizens.  One argument given by bill supporters is the undocumented take seats from citizens.  Those here on Student Visas can attend those same schools. Their families do NOT live here or contribute to the tax base,  while undocumented people/families DO pay Georgia taxes. 

House Bill 87 - (Georgia's answer to Arizona's SB1070) Multiple components: Mandates E-Verify; ID Theft, with stiff penalties for using giving an invented name and/or for making up a 9 digit Social Security number;  Licensed drivers, authorized residents can be arrested, jailed, fined AND have the vehicle seized for having an undocumented adult passengers in a vehicle under the "transporting" provision;  "Sheltering" - A husband or wife can be arrested, jailed and fined for providing "shelter" and food to their undocumented spouse - the parent of their children.  Same applies to roommate situations.  

House Bill 296: If passed, would mandate local school and hospitals to count the illegal immigrants they treat.  In order to get an accurate count they would have to ask ALL patients for that information.  This would be burden on schools AND medical providers as well as PATIENTS.  AND likely necessitate costly changes to records systems & databases. 

Senate Bill 7: If passed, would ban undocumented workers from collecting workers’ compensation benefits for on-the-job injuries.  This is particularly troublesome as those injuries now covered by workers comp would still need to be treated.  Again burdening healthcare providers.  Undocumented workers frequently work positions authorize residents don't want.  As a result some are at risk from falls, wounds and exposure to chemicals such as insectides and weedkillers.

Senate Bill 27: Toughens current laws to prevent state agencies and counties from hiring undocumented workers for taxpayer-funded projects.

Senate Bill 65: Would prohibit undocumented immigrants from collecting unemployment benefits.  This isn't needed as undocumented people are already prohibited from collecting unemployment benefits. 

Senate Bill 104:  Has components similar to HB 87 and SB 40.   Punishes drivers who pick up day laborers in certain situations.  Would allow warrantless arrests of those who police have probable cause to believe have committed 'any public offenses' that make them eligible for deportation.  

Senate Bill 174: Would require all jails in Georgia to participate in Secure Communities. The program compares the fingerprints of people booked into jails against a federal database, and if an unlawful immigrant is determined,  ICE is notified and may place a detainer on the party.  See "Secure Communities" info at ICE.

Georgia Legislation will Cause Foreclosures to Rise

Driving Residents from Georgia
with HB87 Like Legislation

Will Create Vacant Residential Dwelling Units

 Fewer Residents/Fewer Households=

Less Housing Demand = 

Lower Real Estate Values =

Less Tax Revenue to Fund Government

Driving residents from Georgia will fuel the foreclosure cycle with vacant properties that can NOT be filled due to a shrinking population.  

ALL Georgia property owners will be affected. 

_________________________

Understand, I do NOT condone illegal immigration.  

I do understand the issues from multiple perspectives.  HB87 is bad for the economy, tourism, business, housing and law enforcement to name a few.
   

The one "positive" feature is it will create many jobs in the legal profession.  Those jobs might include defending the legislation, representing immigrant clients, their children, and processing foreclosure documents to name a few.   Katie Dempsey's husband is with Dempsey Auctions, which conducts real estate auctions, including foreclosures.  Note that four of the five sponsors are attorneys.  It is interesting that this bill creates jobs in fields for many of their associates.   
  

Sponsor of HB87 & co-sponsors

• Matt Ramsey (attorney) - R - Peachtree City Dist 72 - Reps part of Fayette County
• Rich Golick (attorney) - R - Smyrna - District 34 -Reps part of Cobb County  
• Katie Dempsey (volunteer) - R - Rome  - District 13 - Reps part of Floyd County
• Rick Austin (attorney) - R - Demorest - Dist 10 - Reps Habersham & part of White County
• Stephen Allison (attorney) -  R - Blairsville - Dist 8 - Reps. Rabun, Towns, Union & part of White County

Representative Matt Ramsey represents an area with LOWER foreclosures rates than some other areas of the state.  Most metro Atlanta counties have significantly HIGHER foreclosure statistics.  You can review the Georgia data at RealtyTrac  or as a spreadsheet summary here:

• The Pew Hispanic Center estimates there are approximately 425,000 undocumented adults and children in Georgia.

• The number of households they represent will have a direct impact on the number of foreclosures Georgia is likely to generate with anti-immigrant legislation.  Increased foreclosure activity will cause property values to fall thereby affecting real estate property tax collections.  Meaning LESS money to fund government.

• The average number of occupants in a Georgia immigrant household in 2009, was 3.69 for homeowners and 3.62 for renters.

• Georgia immigrant households - 44% are home owners.   

The influx in of undocumented residents began when fears arose, in the early 1990s, that Georgia could not complete construction preparations for the 1996 Olympics.  Undocumented labor was "recruited" to help as one writer described it, "with a wink and a nod" from multiple government agencies, including Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS)/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE.)
 

Those construction workers often brought their young families.  Contractors found the work ethic and skills of this new work force admirable and utilized them to build during the housing boom.  Contractors, construction suppliers, title companies, lenders, real estate brokers and agents, government are just a few of those that benefited.  Obviously so did the families that were able to purchase affordable homes.

Those undocumented families rented or bought apartments and homes and settled here.  Others arrived.   The economy grew and was built with their presence and spending.  Their small undocumented children grew up, attended school, graduated high school all knowing Georgia as "home."

Mixed Status Families/Households

Those once small children have grown up and married;  some have married citizens or other "authorized residents."  They speak English as well as you, your friends or your neighbors.  Those couples have started families of their own, yet ONE parent is undocumented - unauthorized.   

 

When a household contains both "undocumented" aka "un-authorized" and "authorized" family members it is called "mixed-status."  (Most people do not understand there is no reasonable path to "get legal" for those brought here illegally as children because the immigration system is broken.)   That is a topic for another post.  This one is about how HB87 will affect FORECLOSURES.

Bills like HB87, if enacted, are DESIGNED to drive undocumented people from the state.  However, it will drive out NOT only households of "all" undocumented people but "mixed status" families AND citizen households as well.  The state population will shrink beyond expectations.   

FORECLOSURES:  Georgia1 is currently #8 in the nation for foreclosures;   (Arizona's2 is #2) You can see on this RealtyTrac map where Georgia foreclosures are concentrated.

• There may be only  ONE  undocumented person in a household, but the WHOLE household is likely to leave if HB87 is enacted.  Georgia could lose 3 to 5 legal residents for each undocumented person in mixed status households.   Some will be business owners & employers.

• As dwellings are vacated the current housing glut will expand as multiple dwelling units flood the market, in a relatively short time frame.  It will be HARDER, if not near impossible to rent a home/apartment for enough to cover the mortgage. Georgia will no longer have the population to fill available housing units. 

• Homes will sit vacant deteriorating in neighborhoods until the population increases and jobs are available so people can rent or purchase these units.  Will squatters make them "home?"

• Properties rented at greatly reduced rates will not have the profit margin to be properly maintained, likely bringing down the whole neighborhood.

• According to the US Census Bureau Vacancy Rates in the "South Region" of the United States exceed those of other areas. 

Imagine what will happen if 100,000 additional residential dwelling units are vacated in a short time and  remain vacant, deteriorating in neighborhoods.

If more is owed on a property than the mortgage balance, a property is considered "under water."  Selling a house for less than is owed may subject the owner to the debt balance, can you afford that loss?  

• How long will it take on the market if you NEED to sell your home or the home of a one of a loved one?  
• How long can you afford to make mortgage payments on a vacant property? 
• Will you be able to sell your home for a job transfer or promotion?  Not likely.
• Will you be able to sell your home to move to a better school district?  Not likely
• If your parents or grandparents pass away and their real estate assets need to be sold, how long will it take?  Years?  
• Will you be able to rent it?
• Whether you rent or own, ask yourself: How will your neighborhood change?  

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-02-24/foreclosure-homes-sold-at-28-discount-last-year-as-supply-grew.html

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