Immigration bill clarifies a once-muddy debate
NOTE: This is the electronic version of today’s AJC column.
Whatever else it accomplishes, passage of House Bill 87 has brought a welcome clarity to the debate over illegal immigration in Georgia. It has cast sunlight where there used to be shadows and has forced hypocrisy out into the open.
For example, do illegal immigrants perform labor that most Georgians are unwilling or even unable to do? The once contentious question now has an answer: Yes, in many cases they do. Acres and acres of crops now rotting in the south Georgia sunshine offer mute testament to that fact that agricultural labor is hard, and that most people in Western industrialized countries don’t want to do it.
And have Georgia farmers become dependent on that illegal workforce, in many cases building their entire economic structure on the availability of cheap and undocumented labor?
Until recently, the state agriculture community had clung to the fiction that only a small and unknowable percentage of their labor was here illegally. However, as their workforce shrinks in the wake of HB 87, such denials have become impossible to sustain. The degree to which they have relied on illegal labor is now painfully clear, and will be reflected on many a bottom line.
In fact, farmers have until now enjoyed the best of both worlds. As long as lax enforcement of federal immigration law gave them access to a large, docile and for the most part invisible workforce, they could sit back and remain quiet in the politically charged debate over amnesty and other measures intended to rationalize immigration. (It didn’t hurt that keeping those workers illegal created an all-but-captive workforce that had few other options.)
Members of Georgia’s congressional delegation have long been complicit in that two-sided game. They have quietly blocked periodic attempts by the federal government to enforce immigration laws more stringently, while simultaneously railing against the presence of the very illegal immigrants they were helping to protect.
Passage of HB 87 has ended that sweet little arrangement. If the state’s agriculture industry wants continued access to that workforce, they need to become vocal advocates for some means of legalizing and protecting it. They need to publicly acknowledge that a population vilified by many as a drain on the state’s economy is in fact a necessity in much of rural Georgia, and they need to start electing public officials who are willing to make that argument in Washington and here in Atlanta.
If they have workers they want to keep, they need to fight for them. And that does not mean adopting the Utah approach of trying to “legalize” illegal immigrants at the state level, giving them permission to be in the state as long as they agree to remain in the fields picking crops and don’t have any higher ambitions. (HB 87 includes a provision calling for a study of that approach).
Such a program would be wildly unconstitutional. And perhaps just as important, we are long past the days when we condemn a population to servitude in manual labor, allowing them to do that but dream of nothing else.
By the way, everything that can be said about the political silence of Georgia agriculture industry regarding the fate of its workforce, and the price they’re paying for it, can also be said about other industries, especially restaurants, hotels and other service-related industries.
The answer to this dilemma will come not in piecemeal state legislation, but in a federal law that simultaneously tightens laws against hiring of illegal labor while offering those already here a path to citizenship. Anything else is fruitless.
– Jay Bookman
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420 comments Add your comment
oldguy
July 5th, 2011
4:41 pm
Cris,
Then you are looking at the Legal Immigrants, not the problem at all (except for the “Students” who purposefully overstay their visas).
The distance from the border has little to do with the “undocumented” i.e. illegal entry people. They go where they can find work! Do you think the all stay in Brownsville? Even the Canadians are having to watch their border with the US for illegals from Mexico!
reusha2000
July 5th, 2011
4:42 pm
Move to Northern Mexico Jay!!
You can have a grand time there, including loosing your head !!
Also the farmers have made it for centuries in this country without your help !
Stewie
July 5th, 2011
4:55 pm
I usually find it funny when people say that the federal government is refusing to do it’s job. The feds don’t just drop from the skies. They are made up of elected officials who for the most part, are populists. They do what we (& the $$) tells them to do. The last time we had a serious debate about Immigration Reform was under Bush. Only 46 senators voted for it. So NO it’s not the feds who are refusing to do their job, it’s us. We put them there. We are the ones who want to whine but when a serious proposal comes, we say no. We deserve the Washington we have.
Next, regd. the substance of my argument: Under Obama, deportations are at an all time high (yes higher than Bush). Given finite resources, they are now choosing to deport those illegal immigrants who have other criminal convictions rather than than the guy who has no criminal convictions. How is that different from your police force or your local DAs office who makes a similar judgement every single day. They all prioritize.
Now, if your solution is deport them all: well let’s examine that solution: When you arrest someone for being illegal the federal govt takes them to immigration court. Nothing wrong with that. You want a judge to deport that guy not the copper who arrested him on “suspicion” of being illegal.
Let’s say this entire process is magically streamlined where we have in all 50 states, approximately 100 judges/state working 5 days a week, each judge adjudicating 5 cases a day.
That means in a month you would process .5M people.
At ~16M illegals, the whole process will take 32 months.
Those 5000 judges (at $100K/year) over the 32 month period will rake in $1.3B over that period. We haven’t even accounted for the cost of the police officers that seem to be catching people, the prisons that are needed to house them, the prosecuting attorneys etc.
Now tell me, from a cost-benefit perspective, is it worth it? Or would you prioritize like the Feds currently do?
Yep
July 5th, 2011
5:21 pm
Stewie,
Budget point in your statement. It costs California over 12B a year (on the low side) ALONE in benefits for illegals. I think a paltry 1.3 over 3 years to rid ourselves of these law breakers a “bargain”!
Yep
July 5th, 2011
5:23 pm
Why do you think the states are up in arms about illegals? The taxes to cover many of these illegals are coming directly from their budgets. If they are not in the census, the fed does not cover their costs…..
B
July 5th, 2011
5:55 pm
please tell me one job a law abiding citizen is “unable to do” that an illegal immigrant is…
Stewie
July 5th, 2011
6:00 pm
@Yep,
My $1.3B was just a fraction of this comical cost-benefit analysis. My model here assumes that no new illegals enter the country over the 32 months. It also does not take into account the full cost of incarceration and adjudication. It skips situations such as: They are married to a US citizen. They have won Pulitzers and are contributing members of society. They have a sick, US citizen kid, who is solely dependent on them. What do you do?
My model also ignores the revenue that is brought in. The IRS equates anyone who has been in this country for over 5 years to be a citizen, regardless of whether they are legal immigrants, illegal immigrants or residents or citizens. So an illegal immigrant pays taxes, pays social security (yes with a fake #) with no hope of ever collecting. You will lose all that money.
They run parts of our economy we don’t want to touch.
The point I’m trying to make is that this is not a problem as simple as: They are illegal, so let’s just deport them. That’s not practical.
Let’s ask our congressional leaders to come up with a practical solution. The practical solution is not amnesty. It means, come up with legal ways to work. Just for kicks, look up the different ways someone can legally immigrate to the US. The only ways are family sponsorship or if you already have high-tech speciality job.
So, the whole, get-to-the-back-the-line argument, well it’s just flawed. There is no line. So tell me, why would an illegal 22 year old who has been living here all his life ever voluntarily leave? Maybe if he knew that there was a legal way to work in this country and possibly immigrate.
yuzeyurbrane
July 5th, 2011
6:08 pm
Jay, you are too quick to reach a conclusion as to whether Americans, with fair wage and working condition incentives, will do the work. I would also like to know where you get the scientific data as to how many acres of crops are rotting because of insufficient labor? All of the data and “studies” I have seen are anecdotal only and hardly scientific. Otherwise, of course employers have been hypocrits, but your solution is to find a way to allow them to continue to exploit illegal immigrants to the detriment of unemployed Americans. I guess that makes you a hypocrt, too.
reyes
July 5th, 2011
6:43 pm
May I remind everyone here that at one point in history white American immigrants headed to texas, then a part of Mexico, indeed invading, to the point that they sought independence from Mexico! Now we call illegals invaders and make conspiracy theories that they want to take over? What changed? History repeats itself…..
So what
July 5th, 2011
6:52 pm
So what…we will eat fewer Gerogian blueberries, and survive. If we really really want them,w e will pay extra.
Steve
July 5th, 2011
7:04 pm
So if someone of any color or nationality robbed a bank or raped a woman would we say it is OK if they pick our vegetables? A crime is a crime and and illegal residence is a crime. A nation that does not uphold it’s own laws is doomed to failure.
gapride
July 5th, 2011
7:10 pm
This is such a great debate for Georgia. We say no to public transportation and cry on 400 during rush hour. We scream at illegals but gladly buy products built with their labor. We love effective tax rates for corporations being dropped to nil, and then ponder our crumbling infrastructure and ineffective school systems. Oh, and meanwhile the middle class shrinks. Of course its due to liberal policy and lazy minority work ethic. Could NOT be due to outsourcing of all manufacturing jobs. Getting gov’t out of the way will clearly solve everything. Yessir, this is a great debate. This is definitely the most pressing and important topic for Georgia. Rounding up and kicking out people who are employed and paid by Georgia businesses is the way to go. Even though it has gone on for decades it needs to change NOW. Because once they are rounded up and kicked out, somehow and someway, things are gonna get good.
Jack
July 5th, 2011
7:33 pm
Bookman is sounding a little desperate of late. Liberals always do when no one is taking them seriously.
Lisa
July 5th, 2011
7:50 pm
Good column Bookman. I wanted to post something positive to show not everyone in Georgia has their head in the sand. I live in rural Georgia, and I am 100% on Bookman’s side. If you ever ran a small business in Georgia that required manual labor, you would be too. And they are not cheap, they get paid like any American would. In my neck of the woods, very few Americans last more than a few weeks.
Mike Becker
July 6th, 2011
5:17 am
Guest worker visas for agriculture are unlimited. The law has proven that farmers would rather see their crops rot than follow the laws.
A small percentage of those here illegally are involved in agriculture, but the media likes to use them as examples, and ignore the fact that visas are unlimited for them.
Selvin
July 6th, 2011
5:42 am
More propaganda for the dishonest businessmen who live of state subsidized illegal labor. Sounds like welfare to me. There are visas available for the farmers, and the non agriculture jobs will all be done by Americans. Saying they won’t is a lie to justify the lawbreaking.
Give 12-30 million people amnesty, and the businessmen will dump them the first chance they get for new illegal immigrants. They are working because they get paid less that comparative wages in the area, and won’t complain. As citizens, they can complain and demand better pay. Think it through, amnesty is not a solution, it just makes the problem worse.
The farmers need to get off the welfare wagon, and start using the visa system that is in place. It makes them responsible for housing and medical care, and stops relying on the taxpayers to bail them out.
wigglwagon
July 6th, 2011
12:40 pm
“The answer to this dilemma will come not in piecemeal state legislation, but in a federal law that simultaneously tightens laws against hiring of illegal labor while” getting legal residents back to work and off unemployment and welfare. Any so called solution that leaves legal residents unemployed and employers still circumventing US labor protections will never be acceptable.
Ed Bright
July 6th, 2011
11:59 pm
The amount of hate. Amazing.
Sarah
July 7th, 2011
1:03 pm
Yes, field work is hard, hot, physical labor, and it is extremely difficult to earn minimum wage if you don’t pick fast enough. But it’s simply not true that non-hispanic workers cannot or will not work in agriculture, and I can’t imagine where this idea comes from. Growers systematically recruit undocumented workers and turn away American-born or documented workers for a reason. Why do you suppose the state is sending in probationers to fill the gaps? The growers need workers who have few other options, are easily intimidated, and are less likely to speak out for their rights. The real problem is that farm work is one of the most abusive and unjust work environments in this country– make it safe and fair, and Georgians of all stripes will apply for the job.
Brittanicus
July 9th, 2011
7:27 pm
WHY ARE WE FORCED TO PAY…?
Can anybody clarify to me, why American taxpayers are forced by law to support people who illegally entered America from foreign countries? It is disturbing this is not charitable giving, but that this money is extorted from our taxes. This is just incurable and has a similar ring to the Obamacare care, which without consent of the majority of the general public that has been also shoved down the throats of US taxpayers. I can truly understand that most Americans desire to aid citizens and legal residents a helping hand in periods of recession or even falling on hard times. But how can the US government make us pay for a foreigner’s education or health care? This is by far one of the most serious issues befallen America, because people who arrive here should not be encouraged to stay by the Democrats or Republicans, either with pandering to them while illegally squatting in America, crossing borders, overstaying visas or coming into the US by ship.
It just goes to show that we cannot trust the US administration or those we place in high authority, to run this country and then gives the American people the finger? I cannot even imagine this nation’s future, where foreign nations seem to have more rights, than birthright citizens? It’s only come to light over the last years, that unknown to most Americans politicians they have used cagey practices to pass six small amnesties behind our back, bring in millions with special visas. The major amnesty was in 1986, its inception starting the chain migration from its original population spiraling to 6 million, at a final cost of 76 billion. However, that was 25 year ago and trying to estimate today’s costs, ranges from 2 trillion to 2.5 trillion dollars in legalizing at least 20 million people. ( Statistics of the Heritage foundation) Currently the New York Times and its ultra Liberal activists are trying to convince us all, that illegal immigration has slowed to a trickle? My observation of thousands of sovereignty groups see no credence this revelation, but if these reasoning was solid, what about the millions that have arrived here. It’s completely inconceivable or rational to the prudent mind in any government bureaucracy authoring another amnesty of any kind, when this great country is 14 trillion dollars in debt, with Obama’s boys trying to lift the debt ceiling even higher.
The Liberals that have infested the Democrats have ruined America with the Tax and spend policies. But this time they are not only confronted by the House Republicans, but the emergence of the All-American Tea Party. Not at the assistance of the Liberal press, that this is just a timid group of dysfunctional people, but a very enthusiastic membership of all party affiliates that is straining to release itself from the usual, elitist GOP establishment. Thousands of cells or branches are reaching out to every moderate thinking American, to escape the Liberal extreme propaganda and even lies. This is the real people’s party, comprising of all races and religions and a rare representation of Blacks, Whites and Hispanics and other races. The general population who are joining the TEA PARTY means Liberal, Independents, Libertarians, Republicans and Democrats and other political associates, who realize finally how they have been deceived.
Leading the TEA PARTY front is Michele Bachmann (R-MN) chair of the Caucus and moderate Conservative by definition, who has taken the presidential race to the people. She makes no excuses for the financial mess the country is in, but is steadfast that unless the Liberal-Democrats start cutting the influence of giant government, we will arrive on August 2, without any guarantee of a compromise of passing the debt limit. Only majority leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada would look for answers, in raising taxes of any kind on taxpayers or industry. Unlike the wimps in the current Congress M. Bachmann speaks out about curtailing illegal immigration, constructing the real double fence, tracking visa over-stays and seeking out business owners who ignore the laws on the books. This lady has a strong resonating voice that draws attention to the principles of the TEA PARTY policies.
Bachmann is resolute in mandating E-Verify and Secure Communities, as these two tools alone could locate and apprehend illegal aliens in the workplace or by checking fingerprints, aides to inform ICE of violations. Through April 30, 2011, more than 77,000 illegal immigrants convicted of crimes, including more than 28,000 convicted of aggravated felony (level 1) offenses like murder, rape and the sexual abuse of children were removed from the United States after identification through Secure Communities,” ICE says on its Secure Communities website. A relative of mine who is a police officer informed me of a very new piece of technologically, that has been assigned to Los Angeles police station called “Blue Checks” He explains it in detail, that this new system allows officers to confront a suspect and request them to hold out their hand. The hand-held device digitally scans the digits of the suspect’s hands, and within minutes the official receives a full criminal background account on the person. Only those in the system have reason to fear if they are wanted for a crime of some classification.
This new piece of equipment is under bombardment by a whole group of left leaning activists, as seeing it as an evasion of a person’s privacy. The “Politically Correct” are already coming out of their grubby holes in the rotting woodwork, crying foul and hoping that the lawmakers rescind its use. The ACLU doesn’t like “Blue Checks “saying the device is an invasion of privacy. Imagine criminal aliens who have reentered the United States being apprehended immediately that may save thousands of American lives. Supporters say they’ll be able to find out if someone has prior arrests, in seconds, instead of hours. I see it as a brilliant compact that all should be placed with law enforcement including ICE. This small unit should have access to national Security agencies, connecting to the Social Security Administration, US Citizenship and Immigration Services and of course ICE. Every patrolman should be issued with this module as it offers instant recognition and could catch, illegal aliens using fraudulent ID.
Immigration laws have been ignored for far too long, and the last I heard there were an estimated 8 million aliens in jobs that Americans should have been hired for? This is incomprehensible when 9.3 percent of own people remain out-of-work. This is plain stealing and employees should be held to the highest penalty allowed by law. WHY COMING TO A SOVEREIGN LAND ILLEGALLY IS NOT A FELONY, MAKES NO SENSE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION. Michelle Bachmann said she will enforce the 1986 Immigration laws, with no exception and zero tolerance that breaks these laws. It is the same with Governors and mayors who abuse city and State laws, applying a blind eye to Sanctuary Cities and States. This illegal immigration battle has been brewing for thirty years or more, except the law abiding people have finally come out of their somnolence.
Everyday blogs, articles and commentaries are crammed full of the abusiveness of previous and current administrations, overlooking intentionally the people’s needs and who have become supplicants to majority major organization, that place pack money in favorable politicians pockets. Bloggers and conservative entities describe the overcrowded schools full with the children of illegal parents; classrooms crammed to legal capacity. In the Southwest the phenomena of closing hospitals overrun with continuous streams of foreign nationals filling the waiting room seats, for every type of medical emergency and even minor colds and ear infections. The uninsured have silently entered this nation, with the purpose of applying for welfare with the backing of taxpayers’ money. These are mostly unfunded mandates forced on States, which have finally found a voice within the Canyon State of Arizona. Others have been quick to follow, including Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Utah already enforcing selective laws, not restricted by federal court system. E-Verify are the best tool available to prevent jobs from going to illegal aliens, no matter what the other side of the aisle says? More than 260,000 businesses are already using E-Verify at nearly one million work sites, nationwide.
Remember foreign nationals have been voting in federal and State elections; authorities are should be obligated to ID everybody who registers.
This is about illegal immigration? An immigrant is not illegal and people need to be enlightened. Highly skilled Professional workers are always welcome, not indigent ECONOMIC illegal aliens who are driving this country, into a third world condition. We cannot accommodate any longer those who come here to steal welfare and public benefits from legitimate Americans. It is estimated that illegal aliens send home by wire transfer around $40 billion dollars annually, that should be going into state treasuries.
Don’t hesitate to reach the Senate phone switchboard—202-224–3121 and House—202-225–3121, and inform them you will not be manipulated into another clandestine Amnesty, disguised as the DREAM ACT.