Carlos Santana blasts new Georgia law on illegal immigration
Staff photo by Curtis Compton
Carlos Santana, in town this weekend for an event at Turner Field, blasted Georgia’s new law cracking down on illegal immigration.
“I represent the human race,” said Santana, who was born in Mexico. “The people of Arizona, the people of Atlanta, Ga., you should be ashamed of yourselves.”
HB 87 is meant to combat illegal immigration by increasing enforcement powers and requiring many employers to check the immigration status of new hires.
Santana, who received the “Beacon of Change” award at Sunday’s MLB Civil Rights Game, called the legislation, signed by Gov. Nathan Deal on Friday, “anti-American.”
Here is a link to the full story on Santana’s remarks.
Were you at Sunday’s game? Do you agree with Santana or Gov. Deal?
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
412 comments Add your comment
Fernando Appleyard
May 16th, 2011
11:43 am
It’s beginning to look like time to secede from the union again.
Cobb Woman of Color
May 16th, 2011
11:43 am
@Lynn, if they won’t immigrate legally completing paperwork, what makes us think they will learn English, pay a fine, etc. They will get everything they want without adhering to any guidelines our government puts forth.
wardenerd
May 16th, 2011
11:44 am
First of all why would you invite a heroin addict and drug abuser to Atlanta to receive an award. Oh our homeless drug addicts won’t do the job for what Santana will so we have to have immigrants do the job. Oh thats a myth? sorry.
GA Taxpayer & Voter
May 16th, 2011
11:44 am
Who really cares what this guy thinks? It’s just a 1st step in taking care of our own 1st.
We can no longer put the rest of the world ahead of our own people.
Really, what part of ILLEGAL do they not understand?
There is no such thing as FREE Lunch. Somebody has to pay.
It is time to stop all of this insanity and protect the future for our children and grandchildren.
GA Law needs to put LEGAL, TAXPAYING Georgians 1st!
Hispanics are just a tip of the iceberg. We better get concerned about all of those Illegal (and Legal) Jihadists that are here!
NedPuddleman
May 16th, 2011
11:46 am
Two points. If you disagree don’t buy his records and do not go to his concerts. Vote with your wallet. I wonder how Carlos feels about downloading his music for free? It’s certainly illegal but does he make a distinction? Second, should anyone really be surprised? MLB created a political/sporting event and this happens. If you went to the game then you paid for it and probably didn’t make a wise vote with your dollar.
Yeah Buddy
May 16th, 2011
11:46 am
Georgia is full of racist hatred all around, and any chance they get to cast aside a minority they are going to do it. This is a state where President Obama only lost by 200,000 votes, so there is obviously a liberal force in the area. This law is illegal. If you want to throw the term illegal into this conversation. NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL.
SNM
May 16th, 2011
11:46 am
To me….all I remember about Santana is him being a druggie back in his day and furthermore, it’s not being against immigration….it’s about them being here ILLEGALLY…period!!! I don’t give a flip one way or the other who my neighbor is or where he is from…when they have gone through the LEGAL process of being in our country…paying their fair share of taxes and so on and so on….. What’s wrong with them doing it the right way…I guarantee you, you would not hear one peep out of those who are against immigration if they were to just follow the process in a legal way.
LT
May 16th, 2011
11:47 am
Agree Gary, guess Santana’s “land of the Free” means something different, not becoming a citizen of The US, and Georgia, and having everything paid for. I would love to be “illegal” too if I got all these services and products free. Don’t understand why all these people keep saying we are all illegal, not hardly. Yes, history reads that the US became the US through immigration, but by now, if you are citizen of this country, the correct steps have either been taken to become citizens or were naturally born here. Why does that make everyone illegal? If a person comes here takes the right steps to citizenship, and provides for their fair share without expecting handouts, what is wrong with that, and why is that against “human rights” according to Santana. Isn’t it against my human rights to pay for myself and family as well as paying for others who are living here illegally, who expects it this way, and doesn’t do anything to change their status. I would be marching around with signs too, if I thought all my free “stuff” was going to be taken away. Isn’t that imposing on my rights? It is like being wrong if I don’t pick up the guy wanting a free ride on the side of the road. He/she has rights to do that and expect that ride, but if I don’t give it to him, by choice, free of charge, I am imposing on their “human rights,” even if they have broken out of prison, and are trying to hitch a ride, “illegally.” Guess that doesn’t matter, oh yeah, I forgot, people who work hard, uphold the laws, and pay their part, are just too conservative and wrong. Guess that makes me an idiot, who just doesn’t get it. I do know what free is, and what it is not, and I don’t get free things, but these people do, and are not here as US citizens or even trying to become one.
Fernando Appleyard
May 16th, 2011
11:47 am
If there was no one to pay $6 an hour to pluck chickens it would cost more to pluck chickens.
Mike Caldwell
May 16th, 2011
11:47 am
It is a sad state of affairs in our country of” LAWS” the necessity to defend the rule of law and order! Apparently, some in our nation wish to obey only the laws that suit their individual needs! Either we are a nation of LAWS or a nation of of the chaos. I think the “Atlanta Braves” should comment ! The citizens and Braves fans will be watching!!
lisa
May 16th, 2011
11:48 am
lets be even everyone go back to your country!!!!!! This country will be empty
Boooo
May 16th, 2011
11:49 am
David: All of us did not come here as “illegal immigrants.” Before there was a law, legality was not an issue. Once there was a law, most followed procedures. Just get the laws repealed if you don’t like the laws.
Maybe Santanas will not come back to Ga.!
Cobb Woman of Color
May 16th, 2011
11:50 am
@Lynn, I agree with you the visa is wrong. People from other countries are shut out with Mexicans and others from South America wanting to get to the front of the line.
And, their so-called plight is not like the “Civil Rights” movement. Black and White Americans were marching for the “rights” of “American” citizens. It is disgusting for them to even compare it. They are forcing people to accept them on their terms against America’s laws so how can they expect us not to be offended?
lisa
May 16th, 2011
11:52 am
If illegals get free benefits then why arn’t the homeless selling roses instead of holding a sign that says I WORK FOR FOOD, what is wrong with this picture, talk about taking advantage, go to work isn’t that why you got a social number, so you can get a job, then give this number to the people that are working in the feilds tring to work for money not holding a sign.
myashurts
May 16th, 2011
11:53 am
A southern man dont need him around, anyhow……
Old School
May 16th, 2011
11:53 am
I am a life long Georgia resident and I don’t give a rat’s hind end what opinion Santana has of our immigration bill – as far as I am concerned he can crawl back under what ever rock he crawled out from and while he is at it take all the ILLEGAL ALIENS back with him…..I say bring on the ICE agents and enforce the law strictly – Throw them in Jail and then Deport them ALL!!!! We don’t want them and we certainly do not need them!!!!
tiredofhearingit
May 16th, 2011
11:53 am
Carlos, you’re a tool. Why don’t you worry about the drug cartel beheading citizens in MX first or do you not care. They are your people.
Fernando Appleyard
May 16th, 2011
11:54 am
And don’t bring up the Indians. They came here too, across the Bering Sea land bridge or on rafts from polynesia. And as for the southwest once belonging to Mexico, we fought a war, they lost.
Rob Paige
May 16th, 2011
11:56 am
One question Carlos? Who is paying for the illegals? Are you going to give away all of your millions?
The biggest problem with liberals is that they want everyone ELSE to take the initiative except them. Do as I say, not as I do.
I can tolerate and appreciate opposing views. I am disgusted by hypocrisy.
Miguel
May 16th, 2011
11:56 am
Does anyone understand that the problem is not immigration itself? It’s ILLEGAL immigration. I welcome anyone to come here in search for a better life but you need to do it the right way. But also I think we need to make it a heck of alot easier to do that. But as we all know, dealing with the government is never efficient or easy in ANYTHING. I don’t think a Braves game was the proper forum for Santana to express his political opinion. It made him look like a hack!!!! Which celebrities tend to do when it comes to politics. And stop comparing the NOW with the first colonization of this country. This is 2011 people.
1eyeJack
May 16th, 2011
11:57 am
If Carlos don’t mind all the illegals in Georgia maybe he won’t mind if they come and live at his house instead.
WOW
May 16th, 2011
11:57 am
““I represent the human race,” said Santana”
No, he represents washed up drug addicted hippies.
JT
May 16th, 2011
11:57 am
Everyone notice the Republicans that actually care about a robust American economy are staying silent on the sidelines here. To reverse Nathan Deal’s (who up to this point had been a welcome breath of fresh air of his predecessor) logic, if businesses, particularly those in our very large agriculture culture segment, don’t have the option to hire these workers here for the wages they pay they will simply outsource those same jobs to the country they are from to avoid higher required wages to American workers and the possibility of the negotiating power of unions. I venture to say the loss in corporate taxes we will endure will have a much more negative effect than losing the cost of having illegals will have positive. It shouldn’t be about racism or the some notion of manifest destiny that you are somehow entitled to something because of where you were born, it should be about remaining the strongest, most productive economy on Earth. These workers will be the key ammunition in our continuing economic war with the Chinese. We have trouble matching their manufacturing costs with illegals how will we fare without them?
FedUp
May 16th, 2011
11:58 am
First of all, all the talk that we are all illegals is just a way for those who have nothing else to say to have something to say.
Illegal is ILLEGAL. Period. No other country in the world puts up with people coming in and taking jobs, whether Americans want those jobs or not is not the point. In Mexico your butt would be thrown in jail if they catch you working and not properly documented.
If you want into this country, apply. Be LEGAL. The last time I looked, this law is only following federal law that is not enforced. I could care less what Santana has to say, or anyone else who is illegal and has no rights in any way shape or form, they are not from the US and should be sent back until they want to be legally here. ALL businesses that employee illegals should be shut down for a year and they wouldn’t continue employing them either.
It's Monday
May 16th, 2011
11:58 am
Bravo Santana! Simply, legislation needs to be done at the FEDERAL level for anything to be effective, NOT STATE….. NTM, the law is racist.
GB
May 16th, 2011
11:58 am
I am not sure why Santana’s opinion is newsworthy. But if his views on US immigration policy and Georgia’s laws are of interest to the AJC, perhaps you could get his comments on Mexico’s restrictive immigration laws and that country’s treatment of people from Central America.
One more thing: OF COURSE IT’S RACISM. A racist is anyone who disagrees with a liberal.
savannahdawg
May 16th, 2011
11:58 am
Of course Santana hates the immigration law. He used to be an illegal immigrant himself!! He is a naturalized citizen. How funny………..new immigration law passed in Georgia……….let’s honor a guy who is an illegal immigrant himself!!!!
FedUp
May 16th, 2011
11:59 am
It’s Monday. Look up the Federal Law, it’s the same that is written in Arizona and Georgia and Utah. You know what the problem is, the Fed’s don’t want to act on it, so the states are.
truth
May 16th, 2011
11:59 am
Just Awful,
Stop being lazy and get a job.
There are plenty of jobs.
DidWeNotLearnFromAZ
May 16th, 2011
11:59 am
People in GA are so blind to see what this bill will actually bring to our state. Go look at the NEGATIVE impact in AZ.
I DON’T diasgree with immigration reform BUT allowing a bill that WILL bring RACIAL PROFILING is not a good move for GA!
This is a poorly written LAW and will GOD forgive the racists that TROLL behind a computer.
truth
May 16th, 2011
12:00 pm
oops Just Awful,
that was meant for someone else. My bad
JT
May 16th, 2011
12:00 pm
My point is you people are missing its intent. Its rhetoric, its unenforcable, and it was never meant to be so. The law isn’t going to lead to a single person being deported because Nathan Deal, while having to pander to the tea party lowest denominator, is a business man and he knows these people keep our economy moving and our corporations costs down.
WOW
May 16th, 2011
12:01 pm
“I’m embarrassed for us. It is bills like this that push American businesses out of business ”
Please cite a source for your claim.
Ms. Information
May 16th, 2011
12:01 pm
Illegals are over burdening our hospitals, our schools, our insurance premiums…. all the taxes that we pay are taking care of them too…..something has to be done….AMERICA TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN FIRST….then and only then are we in shape to help others.
Tim R
May 16th, 2011
12:01 pm
Carlos = cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo
Ralph
May 16th, 2011
12:02 pm
@David..yeah and look what happened to the natives. As I deal with dual languages on a daily basis, it appears that the immigrants have already overwhelmed the culture.,
WOW
May 16th, 2011
12:03 pm
I would gladly support deporting Cynthia Tucker, Jay Bookman and Carlos Santana for three illegal aliens. At least the illegals would work for a living.
guy
May 16th, 2011
12:03 pm
Take that dope smoking s.o.b. back to his original home.Opinions like that have no place at a baseball game to begin with.Santana is as useless as boobs on a man!PLAY BALL,NOT POLITICS!
DidWeNotLearnFromAZ
May 16th, 2011
12:03 pm
MS. INFORMATION:
GIVE ME THE LINKS TO WHERE YOU ARE GETTING YOUR “INFORMATION”???
Yes, that’s right… You don’t have any proof to back it up.
Thanks for spreading more lies…
Margaret-Rose Batterman
May 16th, 2011
12:03 pm
HE, CARLOS SANTANA, SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF!!!! IN FACT HE NEEDS TO GO BACK TO MEXICO!!!!! HOW DARE HE TALK LIKE THAT ON AMERICAN SOIL AND PUT DOWN OUR FEW STATES THAT ARE PROTECTING OUR LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS RIGHTS AND COUNTRY WE FIGHT FOR. WE DID NOT ASK THEM TO COME HERE….THEY CAME HERE ILLEGALLY!!!!! DID YOU KNOW MEXICO IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES FOR SOMEONE TO CROSS THEIR BORDER???? SANTANA…..GO BACK TO MEXICO AND TAKE ALL OF YOUR BELOVED ILLEGALS WITH YOU. YOU ARE A TRAITOR, LIKE THE LATINO POLITICIANS, WORKING FOR ILLEGALS AND NOT AMERICAN CITIZENS.
red Clay
May 16th, 2011
12:03 pm
I agree with Carlos Santana. Gov. Deal and Matt Ramsey are both bigots. They are the next version of Marvin Griffin and Denmark Groover.
WOW
May 16th, 2011
12:03 pm
Let’s see: Carlos has made millions of dollars off of capitalism and here he is bashing the country in which he illegally entered.
Priceless.
FedUp
May 16th, 2011
12:04 pm
Look at the Federal Law on immigration. Look at the Georgia law. Tell me the difference besides we have a pansy bunch of people in Congress that won’t enforce it, a President that doesn’t believe in it and it forces the states to react.
Have your SS number stolen and used for an illegal to get a job, or get in trouble and see the pain and torment it causes you. You will change your mind.
Ernesto
May 16th, 2011
12:04 pm
Carlos and plenty residents and citizens of this state feel the same way. SHAME ON GEORGIA!
tiredofhearingit
May 16th, 2011
12:04 pm
The more poor that enter from MX, the more money MX will have (taxes) to spend on other things. The more poor that enter the US the more taxes (money from those who are trying to safe for retirement) are required to provide for them.
WOW
May 16th, 2011
12:04 pm
“Go look at the NEGATIVE impact in AZ. ”
You mean kidnappings, murders etc by illegals?
“I DON’T diasgree with immigration reform BUT allowing a bill that WILL bring RACIAL PROFILING is not a good move for GA!”
If you’re legal, you have nothing to worry about.
Right
May 16th, 2011
12:05 pm
In any other country, they’d laugh at you for illegally crossing the border and attempting to declare yourself a citizen of the state. Get real people, anything short of full legal status and free health care won’t make them happy.
truth
May 16th, 2011
12:05 pm
WOW,
Carlos made himself a millionaire over hardwork and dedication.
What do you do? Work on a farm supporting your inbreed sisters?
JT
May 16th, 2011
12:06 pm
There are plenty of ‘natural born” American citizens who overburden our schools and hospitals while not providing us any of the services that the illegal immigrants do. Lets worry about our own trash that provide no contribution to society. Have you seen a hispanic homeless person in Atlanta? I haven’t.
WOW
May 16th, 2011
12:06 pm
“Carlos made himself a millionaire over hardwork and dedication.”
Illegally.
“What do you do? Work on a farm supporting your inbreed sisters?”
No, I’m too busy pimping your mom on Piedmont.