Why Won’t Law-Makers Pass Laws to Uphold Laws?
Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, April 2, 2010
By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. Many times, I’ve been flabbergasted that Georgia lawmakers refuse to require employers NOT to hire illegal aliens, but they’ve done it again! H.B. 1259 was introduced by Representative Bobby Reese to keep Georgia jobs for Georgians or U.S. citizens or immigrants who came here the right way.
On March 27th, H.B. 1259 was killed by Georgia legislators who are unwilling to pass a law to screen job applicants for illegal aliens. It’s amazing how simple it would be. The screening process is already in place. It’s a federal internet-based system called E-Verify. It’s easy for employers to use and it’s free. It’s operated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Any job applicant who does not have a social security number and can’t get one is illegal. EVERYONE who’s legally in the U.S. must have and can get a social security number. A social security number is a MUST for those who want to work here.
If H.B. 1259 had passed, new businesses could not get a business license and an older business couldn’t get a renewed license, unless they agree to use the E-Verify system to screen job applicants. The 2006 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act already requires state government employers and their contractors to use E-Verify, but the law does not apply to private business.
This is disturbing on several levels. First, you’d think Georgia employers would WANT to hire only U.S. citizens for any number of reasons. Second, you’d think employers would WANT to reject workers who break the law to come here. Third, Georgia elected officials that SWORE to uphold the law and the constitution now have the audacity to refuse to pass a law to uphold the immigration law. That’s so contradictory it makes no sense at all.
South Carolina and Mississippi are among 13 states that already use E-Verify to keep American jobs for Americans and several other states are considering it. So, why can’t Georgia lawmakers “man-up” and do the same? I, for one, expect better from our Georgia officials. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.