Board of Regents can’t alter immigration policy for one Bulldog
Georgia recruit Chester Brown (left) had scholarship hopes derailed by the state's policy on illegal immigrants and undocumented students. (Photo by 247Sports.com)
Don Balfour picked up the phone and said the first thing that you would expect when a Georgia state senator gets a phone call from a sportswriter.
“I don’t normally talk to sportswriters,” he said.
To which I responded that I don’t normally talk to politicians, unless you count commissioners, owners, general managers, coaches, some athletes, their agents, public-relations directors … on second thought, never mind.
Sports and politics overlapped this week. Chester Brown, a 6-foot-5, 340-pound mountain of a teenager, was forced to withdraw his commitment to the Georgia football team because of an immigration issue.
This is where things get kind of screwy. Brown is the son of Samoan immigrants. His mother says Brown was born in the United States, not Samoa, and is a citizen, but the family apparently doesn’t have the proper documentation to prove it. This precludes him from accepting a scholarship from UGA, given the Board of Regents’ tough immigration policy that was passed in July 2011 in the wake of a case involving a Kennesaw State student, Jessica Colotl (who erroneously received in-state tuition, despite being an illegal immigrant).
It’s not my intention to turn this into a column on the illegal-immigration problem in the United States, but I think we can all agree that when the Board of Regents declared that undocumented students and illegal immigrants can’t take away seats from academically qualified Georgia students, nobody figured it would affect the Georgia football team.
Immigration policies are intended to keep the nation safe and protect taxpayers, not wreck pass protection against the Alabama defense.
Balfour is one of the strongest proponents of the Board of Regents’ immigration policy. He acknowledged, “Never in a million years did any of us think this would affect a football team.”
But this case doesn’t cause him to rethink things. Another supporter of the policy, Georgia alum and Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs, agrees.
Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) said, "My blood is red and black," but he doesn't second-guess the immigration policy. (Bob Andres/AJC)
“You can’t get into the business of making laws tailored to individuals,” Ehrhart said. “I went to school at Georgia. I graduated from there in 1980. My blood is red and black. I love going to football games. But does it make me not want to enact certain [policies]? No.”
So he’ll tell that to the fans who are sitting next to him in Sanford Stadium?
“Oh yeah, thanks a lot. Am I going to wear a T-shirt [advertising it]? No. There’s no self-preservation in that.”
Brown is an unfortunate byproduct of the illegal-immigrant issue. It’s hard not to feel for the kid. He couldn’t control where he was born or whom he was born to.
He went to school in Hinesville after relocating with his family from Long Beach, Calif., in 2004. He accumulated a 3.2 grade-point average and obviously has excelled on the football field. When he showed up at Georgia’s “Dawg Night,” a summer prospect camp, he looked like manna from heaven for a program with offensive line problems.
Brown was offered a scholarship on the spot. Brown gave his commitment, and he was so excited that he had the date, July 15, 2011, tattooed on his arm.
But now there’s some question where he’s from and whether he can prove it. Ironically, Balfour said, it would be easy for Brown to get into UGA if he wasn’t a U.S. citizen because then he would need only apply for a student visa. His claim of being a U.S. citizen mandates he have proper documentation. For unknown reasons, that has not been supplied by the family. (Brown can still attend a school in a state with less-restrictive policies and is looking at Syracuse, Central Florida and Tulane.)
Here’s what shouldn’t be lost in all of this: A law is a law (or in this case, a policy is a policy). Any Georgia fan, conservative or liberal, who has long supported tougher immigration laws can’t suddenly claim their beloved Bulldogs are being wronged.
“I definitely feel bad for the kid,” Balfour said. “I hate that he’s caught in the middle of this.”
Then he added, tongue-in-cheek, the obligatory southern college football conspiracy theory.
“I think this policy must’ve been started by someone from Georgia Tech,” he joked.
By Jeff Schultz
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240 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
January 26th, 2012
7:40 pm
Mountain Dawg, you know there all kinds of sites for guys obsessed with other men’s anatomies. Maybe you should go to one of them
Dawg48
January 26th, 2012
7:45 pm
NASCAR should change the number of cars that can start a race. It needs to be lowered to around 30 to 33 cars. 15 to 20 of the cars are not even competitive and it puts spending caps on the major teams.
1 4 GT
January 26th, 2012
7:46 pm
I predict NASCAR will switch to fuel injection this year.
Dawg48
January 26th, 2012
7:51 pm
14GT, why is that?
Dawg48
January 26th, 2012
7:54 pm
Can she drive……STICK? Lol
1 4 GT
January 26th, 2012
8:34 pm
I’ve been semi-busy. Just think it’s way past time they took a step up with their technology. I would like to see them go back to the race cars at least looking something like what I can buy. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CHEVY—-except for #48—-sick of him!!!!
1 4 GT
January 26th, 2012
8:41 pm
5150. Yes, I saw that. Sad!
georgiagirl
January 26th, 2012
8:46 pm
This just sucks
mdr
January 26th, 2012
8:54 pm
Jeff, what is the point of this column? No one is trying to make an exception to this rule. This is a non-story. The kid will go to school somewhere else and UGA will move on. Nothing to see here.
athdog
January 26th, 2012
9:04 pm
I wonder if his family has considered having the kid changed his claim of being a citizen, as the Senator said. Obviously going to Georgia means a lot to the kid if he had his arm tattooed with the
commitment date.
richie
January 26th, 2012
9:12 pm
This state is the most backward that I have ever seen.The farmers cannot harvest their crops because of this stupid state.If they live here ,go to school here,they should be allowed to go to college here………….rednecks……….in the state capital………..fat,grey hair white guys……………
Jaw Jaw Homer
January 26th, 2012
9:17 pm
U know why my jaw hurts right
OLD MAN
January 26th, 2012
9:20 pm
i see uga is crying again.. they do not respect the law when comes to football
OLD MAN FARTS
January 26th, 2012
9:24 pm
@ OLD MAN Did you actually read the article?
“You can’t get into the business of making laws tailored to individuals,” Ehrhart said. “I went to school at Georgia. I graduated from there in 1980. My blood is red and black. I love going to football games. But does it make me not want to enact certain [policies]? No.
MB
January 26th, 2012
9:25 pm
I have no idea whether this one kid is here legally or not, but illegal immigrants cost the US taxpayers billions of dollars a year. We pay for their kids to go to our schools (at around $7,000/kid per year), often pay their medical, housing, and food bills (Democrats call those entitlements) all while thy work undocumented getting cash on Friday and pay NO taxes.
Enforce the border, illegal immigrants are not victims, they are criminals who have illegally invaded our country; quit feelling sorry for them
billy bob
January 26th, 2012
9:26 pm
hey steve…we might be 2nd in football, but that is it! Lets compare wages trailer trash1
1 4 GT
January 26th, 2012
9:32 pm
Feel bad for the kid, but don’t mind seeing Georgie have a bit of bad karma for a change. I see they also got themselves an in-house bail bondsman out of yesterday’s trip to the recruits church. Pretty slick of Gramps to also drum up business for himself and future partner/grandson.
Tdawg
January 26th, 2012
9:38 pm
5150 UTURD The kid was born in the USA and is as American as your pathetic a$$ is. Geez you must really hate knowing that GT will never be at the level that UGA is. I would resign myself to the fact that you are a troll, but most likely you are just a jerk.
BG
January 26th, 2012
9:43 pm
Why is he able to go to college in Florida?
ARdawg
January 26th, 2012
9:50 pm
UOAD has obviously broken into the liquor cabinet again. Check with immigration wiseguy that’s USCIS if you what some stats or figures. If you think for a minute this kid is the only one with illegals for parents……well wait a minute, you did graduate from GT, didn’t you?
1 4 GT
January 26th, 2012
9:57 pm
Only a handful of states have passed laws restricting undocumented immigrants rights and privileges. He has no proof of citizenship and his family is from West Samoa. American Samoa would be no problem. If he had a student visa, he could go to Georgie, as the kid from Australia is doing at GT and the 9/11 terrorists did to attend flight schools in the USA. Why don’t you read the whole story before opening your big mouth and start your uniformed yammering. As far as that goes, he could go to GT because we have an open spot which he would not be preventing a legal resident from filling.
Fan of the Game
January 26th, 2012
10:03 pm
Hate it for the kid, but dang the parents dropped the ball here. Once again do what is needed and everything is fine. Some thing rules don’t apply to them and think they can get by.
Mark. (another one)
January 26th, 2012
10:05 pm
The family says he was born in California. The issue is proving it by obtaining his birth certificate. Informaiton on vital records for Samoa is probably not helpful. However, California has a similar office as do all 50 states. I have to believe there is more to this story since you can call the state’s office of vital records and order a birth certificate over the phone. I was born in California and did this so I could obtain a passport.
1 4 GT
January 26th, 2012
10:05 pm
Tdawg. He has no birth certificate with which to prove his American citizenship. Why must others explain, repeatedly, what is clearly stated in the article leading into this blog. The same facts were also stated in yesterday’s AJC article about Mr. Brown. What’s up with the name of Brown for a Samoan anyway? Don’t their names generally have about 2 dozen letters and 6 or 8 syllables? Something like Banokeaoagoyo? Just asking. Not mocking or anything, but Brown for a Samoan name???
chuck
January 26th, 2012
10:15 pm
If Obama can be President then Chester Brown should be able to go to UGA.
5150 UOAD
January 26th, 2012
10:28 pm
1 4 GT thanks for the post to TARDEDdwag. I am done explaining why these MUTTS are Stupid. This isn’t that difficult to understand. Either he proves he was born in the US or he goes to a school in a state that doesn’t have this policy.
ARdwag it has noting to do with if his parents are illegals or not. Even illegal parents know to keep the child’s birth certificate. This case is the FIRST in the STATE with the new POLICY so you are wrong. We are talking about a kid not being allowed in because of a new policy not a kid with illegal parents. Illegal parents don’t matter to the new Georgia policy.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 26th, 2012
10:30 pm
“Never in a million years did any of us think this would affect a football team.”
So what he’s really trying to say is that Mexicans can’t play football. `
Paul in NH
January 26th, 2012
10:36 pm
Najeh – Great post
Matt Ryan
January 26th, 2012
10:38 pm
“Here’s what shouldn’t be lost in all of this: A law is a law (or in this case, a policy is a policy). Any Georgia fan, conservative or liberal, who has long supported tougher immigration laws can’t suddenly claim their beloved Bulldogs are being wronged.”
You are absolutely right. I cannot, and I do not. If this kid wants to attend UGA he’ll clear up the problem with his paperwork. If he cannot, he should look elsewhere.
iTiSi
January 26th, 2012
10:39 pm
Had at a minimum 4 yrs. to do something about it but didn’t. TS!
Kit Cursin
January 26th, 2012
10:54 pm
Maybe the young man will play in a state where the politicians aren’t willing to punish hard working kids just to get the bigot vote.
WvRDawg
January 26th, 2012
10:57 pm
he looks fat and out of shape—ga doesn’t need him. Let him go to clemson or auburn–they’ll take anybody.
The Factor
January 26th, 2012
10:59 pm
I feel sorrrow for the kid. His parents were looking for a better life for him moving east as a younster. Wish we could get him as he obviously wants to come to UGA. However, it looks pretty cut and dry. I wish him luck…..We forget, because of the oversized bodies, they are still impressional teens.
new rules
January 26th, 2012
11:00 pm
The government should change the laws in case of football players — it’s unfair to not let him play at georgia—they need this talent bad and the law should not apply in this case.
Commander in Thief
January 26th, 2012
11:03 pm
Of course, if he wanted to run for POTUS, THAT wouldn’t be a problem (think Obozo). Aren’t laws and their selective enforcement a wonderful thing?
5150 UOAD
January 26th, 2012
11:07 pm
WvRdwag how many Ripped Samoans have you ever seen. Most are built like sumo wrestlers. That doesn’t mean they are not strong and agile.
1 4 GT
January 26th, 2012
11:12 pm
I didn’t vote for Obama, but this crapola about him not being born in the USA is just what I called 10x over. Get over it you racist, prejudiced, bigot.
The Factor
January 26th, 2012
11:15 pm
@new rules……pinhead
5150 UOAD
January 26th, 2012
11:18 pm
Factor I think well I hope new rules was being sarcastic.
atlantattoseattle2015
January 26th, 2012
11:21 pm
backwards state,with plenty of ignorant 1950,s thinkin redneck..not only the state getting behind but that overated university in the red neck town of athens lose out as well..when will they come into the 21st century???
1 4 GT
January 26th, 2012
11:25 pm
What gives with these stupid filters????? I d i d n o t v o t e f o r O b a m a. T h i s j u n k a b o u t h i m n o t b e i n g b o r n i n t h e U S A i s a b u n c h o f c r a p o n l y 10 x o v e r. G e t o v e r i t y o u r a c i s t b i g o t. T h i s f o o l t h a t b r o u g h t a l a w s u i t a b o u t t h a t i s m a k i n g G e o r g i a lo o k a b u n c h o f b a c k w o o d b u f f o o n s.
bev
January 26th, 2012
11:34 pm
Just another example of another reckless law.
Pago Pago DAWG
January 26th, 2012
11:35 pm
No matter where his folks are from, they probably have been working all the time while in the USA.
We know a lot of Samoans with last names…Reid, Pritchard, Grey, Scanlon,Forsgreen, Chan, Brown, Nomura, etc.
Not sure why they gave him like Chester?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 26th, 2012
11:39 pm
Not a one of you dwags wold be posting the things you are posting on here about state politics if a similar situation had happened with a Tech recruit. You would be slamming Tech and praising the law from the get-go. Even though it’s an unfortunate situation for the kid, the law makes total sense. There is no reason why a non-citizen should be given any position, be it work, school, football team or what over an available citizen. That is neither racist, nor xenophobic; it is practical.
The Factor
January 26th, 2012
11:44 pm
@5150
Perhaps, or someone posting as a dog fan. Or, maybe a dog fan who is actually a pinhead…..imagine
jvillebil
January 26th, 2012
11:45 pm
Is there anyway someone in Georgia could legally adopt him????
If that doesn’t work, could we find him a good Georgia girl that wants to get married?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 26th, 2012
11:46 pm
jvillegil, not in time for football season
RedMeat
January 26th, 2012
11:53 pm
america for americans. get the illegals out. i’ll cut my own grass and serve my own tacos.
dee mills
January 26th, 2012
11:55 pm
just go to school in a diiferent state,its georgia’s loss.
5150 UOAD
January 27th, 2012
12:00 am
SUPERSIZE new recruiting blog on WILL ADAMS being offered by Richt today too.