Last week, State Representative Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) introduced the “Illegal Immigration Reform Enforcement Act of 2011,” or HB 87. The Libertarian Party of Georgia opposes the bill, citing the huge cost to enforce it even though the General Assembly is tasked with a nearly $2 billion budget crisis. They also say that the bill could have catastrophic effects on the economic well-being of the state, as well as in the lives of its residents if passed.
As proposed, HB 87 would make criminals of many otherwise law abiding Georgians trying to make a living. The bill makes it a criminal offense by merely “encouraging” an illegal immigrant to enter the state. It also allows almost any citizen to bring a lawsuit against any business, local or State government agency or official by just accusing them of violating immigration law. Further, HB 87 burdens every employer doing business in Georgia with using the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system.
“As it is written, this bill will have a tremendous impact on the every day lives of all Georgians and will cost the State quite a bit of money defending it from the several lawsuits already planned,” says Libertarian Party of Georgia Legislative Director Jeff Sexton. “We are calling on Representatives to truly get serious about immigration, and enact genuine reform that respects the rights of all individuals.”
One other aspect troubling the Libertarian Party of Georgia is the provision within that allows law enforcement officers to indefinitely detain anyone unable to provide their driver’s license or other “proof” document. HB 87 allows for anyone forgetting their driver’s license to be jailed even after release would normally be required without probable cause. It also re-introduces the secure and verifiable document issue, something that has landed the state in the courts as a defendant for the way Georgia tried to use it in election law… another action that could cost the state significant legal bills to defend.
“This bill is a reaction to a poor national immigration policy, and it acts to treat a symptom, rather than cure the underlying illness. That illness is the cost of the welfare state, and neither Democrats nor Republicans are willing to address it,” explained Brett Bittner, the Party’s Executive Director. “Instead, they’ve politicized the immigration issue to the point that we can no longer have a discussion about a solution that works for every Georgian.”
“Our main economic engines, agriculture, poultry, and manufacturing, will be hit hardest by the proposed legislation,” Bittner says further. “They will find themselves with an increased cost of labor and compliance, or they will simply close up shop, because the arduous regulations are simply too much.”
Currently, HB 87 has been placed in the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, chaired by HB 87 co-sponsor Rep Rich Golick (R-Smyrna), where it is scheduled to have a hearing this Friday, February 4, at 9:30am. Others listed as co-sponsors include Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), Rick Austin (R-Demorest), Stephen Allison(R-Blairsville), and Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta).
