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House OKs immigration legislation (Georgia doing it right!)
Albany Herald ^ | 02/15/2006 | Dave Williams

Posted on 02/15/2006 8:35:17 AM PST by devane617

ATLANTA — Illegal immigrants wishing to wire money home to their families would have to pay an additional fee under legislation approved by the House Tuesday.

The narrowly focused bill took up more than two hours of sometimes-emotional debate, a harbinger of what lawmakers will face in the coming weeks when they take up more comprehensive measures targeting illegal immigration.

The Republican-backed bill, which passed 106-60 and now moves to the Senate, would require anyone wishing to wire money outside of the United States to prove they are either an American citizen or are in this country legally. Otherwise, they would have to pay a fee of 5 percent of the amount of the wire.

The bill specifies that the money collected would be used to help cover the state's costs for indigent health care. However, the provision is not binding because state law allows only certain transportation funding to come from a dedicated source.

Supporters said the estimated 225,000 illegal immigrants living in Georgia are costing taxpayers up to a $1 billion a year in services and are a major factor in overloading public schools and emergency rooms.

"The problem is real, the services that are used are real, and this remedy offers them an opportunity to pay back to the system for these services," said Rep. Tom Rice, R-Norcross, the bill's chief sponsor.

But opponents said the legislation is mean-spirited and seeks to punish hard-working people.

"What we're about to do is tax people who are doing the best they can to provide for their families," said Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, the only Republican to vote against the bill. "I have a moral problem with that."

Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, lectured his Republican colleagues for pushing legislation to allow counties to display the Ten Commandments at the same time they're targeting illegal immigrants.

"You can't insist on having the Ten Commandments hung if you don't live the Ten Commandments," he said.

Opponents also argued that illegal immigration is a federal issue and should be handled by Congress.

But Rep. John Lunsford, R-McDonough, chairman of the Legislature's Immigration Reform Caucus, said the General Assembly is stepping in because federal officials have failed to do so.

"We're trying to solve the problem, because the people of Washington are turning a blind eye to it," he said.

Before the final vote, House members amended the bill to exempt from the fee people who can prove they are paying taxes in Georgia.

However, lawmakers soundly rejected an amendment that would have increased the fee from 5 percent to 10 percent.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aliens; georgia; illegal; illegalaliens; illegals; immigrantlist; immigration; mexicans; texas
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To: Paul C. Jesup

"Actually, illegal immigrants using the USPS to mail moneys from the illegal gains in illegal jobs could be considered a federal crime considering the money was earned through illegal means. This would be using the USPS to launder money which is very illegal."

IMHO, the USPS itself is in violation of the RICO Act.


41 posted on 02/16/2006 9:00:42 PM PST by Razz Barry
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To: Razz Barry
IMHO, the USPS itself is in violation of the RICO Act.

Actually USPS is one of the few government organzations that have drawn a profit for the year.

42 posted on 02/16/2006 9:04:56 PM PST by Paul C. Jesup
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To: devane617
"What we're about to do is tax people who are doing the best they can to provide for their families," said Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, the only Republican to vote against the bill. "I have a moral problem with that."

No, what we're trying to do is take some of the burden, caused by illegals, off the backs of Americans who are doing the best they can to provide for their families.

"Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, lectured his Republican colleagues for pushing legislation to allow counties to display the Ten Commandments at the same time they're targeting illegal immigrants."

Sounds like we have some house cleaning to do here in Georgia.

"You can't insist on having the Ten Commandments hung if you don't live the Ten Commandments," he said."

Does this D.A. think illegals are living the Ten Commandments? They break our laws when they come here. Every time they fill out government forms or employment applications they perjure themselves. They lie about their income to get their children free breakfast and lunch. When they lie to get government handouts that's the same as stealing.

We need to point out to OUR politicians that they were elected BY AMERICANS to REPRESENT AMERICANS. Illegals don't elect these people and sure as h&!! don't pay their salaries.
43 posted on 02/16/2006 9:30:02 PM PST by Razz Barry
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To: Paul C. Jesup

It's no surprise to me. With the Mexicans lined out the door for money orders.


44 posted on 02/16/2006 9:34:08 PM PST by Razz Barry
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To: Razz Barry

I am talking about in 2005, not this year.


45 posted on 02/16/2006 9:38:14 PM PST by Paul C. Jesup
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To: Paul C. Jesup

It doesn't matter what year. They've been lined out the doors at every Dalton Post Office for the past fifteen years. I don't see 2006 being any different.


46 posted on 02/16/2006 9:43:42 PM PST by Razz Barry
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To: devane617

I had to provide a birth certificate to get a DL when I moved to GA 4 years ago.


47 posted on 02/16/2006 9:44:35 PM PST by Politicalmom (Must I use a sarcasm tag?)
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To: ImaTexan

ping


48 posted on 02/16/2006 9:58:47 PM PST by bjcintennessee (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff)
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To: Razz Barry

I point out how illegal immigrants may being commiting crimes using the U.S. Postal Service and you complain about the Postal Service. What's your problem, some details please?


49 posted on 02/17/2006 2:45:15 AM PST by Paul C. Jesup
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To: doc30
When they enter we give them an Form I-94w.

That is their permit to be here. It shows their class of admission and authorized length of stay.
50 posted on 02/17/2006 5:06:16 AM PST by Marine Inspector (Government is not the solution to our problem; Government is the problem)
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To: devane617

Georgia wasn't on my list of states to consider relocating to to get out of this cesspool called California - but it is now! Between this legislation being passed (whether it's enforceable or not - it still sends a message to the federal government, citizens, and illegals!) and needing to show a birth certificate to get a DL, Georgia is lightyears ahead of CA.


51 posted on 02/17/2006 7:53:35 AM PST by Serenissima Venezia (U.S. a 3rd world soon: not educating enough scientists/engineers and being invaded by illegals)
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To: Marine Inspector

You are quite right. Most foreign visitors have I94's. Canadians are the only group excempted from this, assuming the purpose of their entry does not require a visa (work, marriage to an American, etc.).


52 posted on 02/17/2006 8:02:50 AM PST by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: doc30
You are quite right. Most foreign visitors have I94's. Canadians are the only group excempted from this, assuming the purpose of their entry does not require a visa (work, marriage to an American, etc.).

100% correct.

I'm the guy that issues those I-94's.

53 posted on 02/17/2006 9:47:38 AM PST by Marine Inspector (Government is not the solution to our problem; Government is the problem)
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To: devane617
"You can't insist on having the Ten Commandments hung if you don't live the Ten Commandments," he said.

I've read thru the Ten Commmandments and don't find one that says, "Thou shalt not enforce thy laws."

Opponents also argued that illegal immigration is a federal issue and should be handled by Congress.

Katrina shows what you get when you rely on the feds to act on your behalf.

54 posted on 02/17/2006 11:05:32 AM PST by John Jorsett (scam never sleeps)
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To: Paul C. Jesup
The problem I have with this issue is governments violating laws it has passed. Local, state and federal governments pass laws regulating private business but exempt themselves. It's not just the USPS.

I'm sorry if I gave you any impression that I didn't agree with you that the illegals are committing a crime. I believe they are. I just think the USPS is also.
55 posted on 02/17/2006 12:28:45 PM PST by Razz Barry
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To: Razz Barry
The problem I have with this issue is governments violating laws it has passed. Local, state and federal governments pass laws regulating private business but exempt themselves.

Well keep in mind in 1994-95 when the Republicans took power in the House and Senate, one of their first acts was to make it that Congress members, Senators and the President had to pay Federal Income Taxes, which up until then was not the case.

That says a lot about the Republican Party in that at least try not to be hypocrites. The try to keep their promises. They try to be honorable. But like everyone, they are human beings and they will make mistakes.

56 posted on 02/17/2006 12:37:21 PM PST by Paul C. Jesup
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To: gubamyster

Bump


57 posted on 02/17/2006 3:42:24 PM PST by Brownie74 (An ex-republican looking for a party to join.)
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To: Marine Inspector

Verifying an I94 can be quite tedious. I had to replace my SS card a while back. Since I'm currently on a work visa while my green card is pending, I needed to supply my I-94 to the SS office who then check with DHS. Time period was 2 months. Knowing the efficiency and the current heavy workload of Immigration, I could never see an immediate response to an I94 verification request. What are your thoughts on that matter?


58 posted on 02/18/2006 1:05:55 PM PST by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: doc30
Currently, there is no quick why to verify the authenticity of I-94's and it's unlikely that DHS will implement a system in the near future. It's just not a priority.
59 posted on 02/19/2006 6:03:19 AM PST by Marine Inspector (Government is not the solution to our problem; Government is the problem)
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