ATLANTA --- The "Super Speeder" law passed in the 2009 session wasn't the only Georgia law that took effect with the New Year last week. A tougher immigration law also kicked in Friday.
Supporters say House Bill 2, sponsored by Rep. Tom Rice, R-Norcross, clarifies and adds enforcement teeth to the state's 2006 immigration reform act -- officially called the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act. Among other things, the measure requires all governments and official agencies in the state and their contractors to use a free, online federal database called "E-Verify" to check that new employees are citizens or lawfully present aliens.
GSICA also requires all local governments and agencies that administer public benefits to collect a sworn affidavit and use another database -- the "SAVE" program -- to verify the eligibility of all applicants for benefits.
GSICA went into effect July 1, 2007. Compliance with the law has been spotty, with many local governments either unaware of it or confused about its requirements.
D.A. King, the president of the Dustin Inman Society, which favors greater restrictions on illegal immigrants, has been monitoring compliance since 2007.
"In 2006, the Georgia Legislature passed a law that essentially says local governments must obey federal immigration, employment and benefits laws," he said. "It was treated as an option. Last year House Bill 2 was passed and basically says we must actually obey the first law that says we must obey the federal law. "
Mr. King said he was certain the Super Speeder law would be enforced to add a $200 fine on top of other penalties for drivers who are caught exceeding 75 mph on two-lane highways or 85 mph on Interstates.
According to Mr. King, federal records show that most local governments and state agencies are using the employment verification tool. But few are using the SAVE database to check immigration status of noncitizen applicants for public benefits, he said.
Comments
Save our jobs; save our social welfare system. These are for citizens. We don't need foreign competition for our jobs and programs. There are enough needy citizens who need jobs and assistance. It's about time we get some protection from our government!
Yes, but will our "needy" citizens actually show up to work every day, on time?? Too many lazy Americans have led to this problem.
Better to help our "needy" citizens than some "greedy" foreigners. Forget about health care reform. We need welfare reform! Work or go hungry is the plan. A person cannot live on subsistence checks and food stamps forever. There should be a five year limit.
What legal citizens do or do not do does not cause anyone elst to break the law and enter this country illegally. Liberals....gotta love em.
now the next step is to make all illegal aliens ineligble for any type of assistance, education or employment opportunites...PERIOD
All these millions of extra mouths to feed, will overload the government entitlement system and our crammed prisons. For many Americans this use of illegal labor and the consequences of Overpopulation seems the least of their worries, in this devastated economy. Perhaps it seems foolish to expect patriotic Americans to make their voices known, but if we do not stop this AMNESTY. We will be committing financial suicide for every legitimate person in this country, for every low skilled, unskilled US worker. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 to be connected to your Senator and Congressman and use the voting power of THE PEOPLE. NUMBERSUSA AND JUDICIAL WATCH for more enlightening information about this ultra serious concern.
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