Ga. Governor Signs Strict Immigration Bill

[Charity]

By SHANNON McCAFFREY, Associated Press Writer
Mon Apr 17, 7:11 PM ET



ATLANTA - Georgia's governor signed a sweeping immigration bill Monday that supporters and critics say gives the state some of the toughest measures against illegal immigrants in the nation.

"I want to make this clear: we are not, Georgia's government is not, and this bill is not, anti-immigrant," Gov. Sunny Perdue said at the signing.

"We simply believe that everyone who lives in our state needs to abide by our laws."

The law requires verification that adults seeking many state-administered benefits are in the country legally. It sanctions employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and mandates that companies with state contracts check the immigration status of employees.

The law also requires police to check the immigration status of people they arrest.

The measure is believed to be the first comprehensive immigration package to make it through a statehouse this session, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Many of the new law's provisions will not take effect until July 1, 2007.

The bill drew protests at Georgia's state Capitol and prompted a daylong work stoppage by thousands of immigrants.

Tisha Tallman, regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, said she was studying potential legal challenges to the bill.

The new law will not affect emergency medical care and educational benefits for those in kindergarten through 12th grade, which federal courts have said must be provided regardless of immigration status.

Exemptions were also added for some other services like prenatal care and the treatment of communicable diseases.

The move to tighten rules in Georgia comes as lawmakers in Washington wrestle with competing proposals to shore up controls at the border, create a guest worker program and create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the United States.

Outside the Capitol on Monday, a few hundred supporters of the legislation applauded loudly when word came that Perdue was signing the proposal.

The crowd waved American flags and cheered as state Rep. Melvin Everson, one of the Georgia House's two black Republicans, denounced illegal immigration as a cancer and proclaimed: "The last time I checked, America was the land of English — not Spanish."

And they hollered as Republican state Sen. Chip Rogers, the bill's author, called it "the strongest single bill in America dealing with illegal immigration — bar none."

At the bill signing, Rogers said he has been approached by lawmakers from South Carolina and Colorado who were interested in crafting similar proposals for their states.

___

Associated Press Writer Greg Bluestein contributed to this report.

___

On the Net:

Senate Bill 529: http://www.legis.ga.gov/ (http://www.legis.ga.gov/)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_on_...HNlYwMlJVRPUCUl (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_on_re_us/immigration_2;_ylt=AoODiNvAAyx61D7cDDay.99Quk0A;_y lu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl)
<!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_148526-->

[Beowulf]

Since the Feds won't do anything, the states should step up. Nice job, Gov. Perdue.

[DoctorDoom]

The bill drew protests at Georgia's state Capitol and prompted a daylong work stoppage by thousands of immigrants.They forgot the word "illegal". The law wouldn't affect legal immigrants. But then the drive-by media don't let little things like truth and accuracy impede their ideological crusade.

[Riverboat]

"We simply believe that everyone who lives in our state needs to abide by our laws." Laws? What a concept!

[Charity]

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20060417/capt.garf61104171925.immigration_garf611.jpg

[The_Elucidator]

By SHANNON McCAFFREY, Associated Press Writer
Mon Apr 17, 7:11 PM ET



ATLANTA - Georgia's governor signed a sweeping immigration bill Monday that supporters and critics say gives the state some of the toughest measures against illegal immigrants in the nation.

"I want to make this clear: we are not, Georgia's government is not, and this bill is not, anti-immigrant," Gov. Sunny Perdue said at the signing.

"We simply believe that everyone who lives in our state needs to abide by our laws."

The law requires verification that adults seeking many state-administered benefits are in the country legally. It sanctions employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and mandates that companies with state contracts check the immigration status of employees.

The law also requires police to check the immigration status of people they arrest.

The measure is believed to be the first comprehensive immigration package to make it through a statehouse this session, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Many of the new law's provisions will not take effect until July 1, 2007.

The bill drew protests at Georgia's state Capitol and prompted a daylong work stoppage by thousands of immigrants.

Tisha Tallman, regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, said she was studying potential legal challenges to the bill.

The new law will not affect emergency medical care and educational benefits for those in kindergarten through 12th grade, which federal courts have said must be provided regardless of immigration status.

Exemptions were also added for some other services like prenatal care and the treatment of communicable diseases.

The move to tighten rules in Georgia comes as lawmakers in Washington wrestle with competing proposals to shore up controls at the border, create a guest worker program and create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the United States.

Outside the Capitol on Monday, a few hundred supporters of the legislation applauded loudly when word came that Perdue was signing the proposal.

The crowd waved American flags and cheered as state Rep. Melvin Everson, one of the Georgia House's two black Republicans, denounced illegal immigration as a cancer and proclaimed: "The last time I checked, America was the land of English — not Spanish."

And they hollered as Republican state Sen. Chip Rogers, the bill's author, called it "the strongest single bill in America dealing with illegal immigration — bar none."

At the bill signing, Rogers said he has been approached by lawmakers from South Carolina and Colorado who were interested in crafting similar proposals for their states.

___

Associated Press Writer Greg Bluestein contributed to this report.

___

On the Net:

Senate Bill 529: http://www.legis.ga.gov/ (http://www.legis.ga.gov/)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_on_...HNlYwMlJVRPUCUl (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_on_re_us/immigration_2;_ylt=AoODiNvAAyx61D7cDDay.99Quk0A;_y lu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl)
<!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_148526-->

That was easy enough, one down 49 more to go. [Sarcasm=on]But some critics (banned FC trolls) would say that he didn't go far enough as there was no provision for a fence to prevent wayward Cubans who overshot Florida and he left off the death penalty by firing squad for those found in violation! [/Sarcasm=off]

[Riverboat]

Could you send a copy of this bill to someone in Texas legislature?

[Beowulf]

Could you send a copy of this bill to someone in Texas legislature?

How about all states since the Feds are sitting on their hands?

[Rhino]

How about all states since the Feds are sitting on their hands?Works for me.

[Lazarus]

That is incredible news Charity... I hope this will give courage to the other state governors and legistlators, especially those in this region, to take just this kind of definitive action on this subject where Washington has betrayed this nation...

The more states who pass identical bills, the stronger this position will become... We must take back control of our nation...

In truth this is a decisive blow for state's rights against the the failed federal behemoth... If more states follow suit, this should send chills thru Washington...

:claps:

[Charity]

I am proud to be a Georgian right now. :-)

We love Sonny.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/233/233898/folders/190997/1433493GovernerPerdue.JPG

[Charity]

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/233/233898/folders/190325/1428565MVC-027S.JPG

[Charity]

One more :-)

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/233/233898/folders/190325/1428558MVC-013S.JPG

[DoctorDoom]

Count on this: the ACLU and the various "We never met a Mexicriminal we didn't like!" activist gangs will bring this to a federal court claiming that it is a violation of the "rights" of the illegals, and that immigration control is a federal issue. I'll give the law a month, tops, before it is overruled by a liberal judge suffering from craniorectal impaction.

[Charity]

We will just have to fight that much harder to make sure things stay right. I hope other states will follow suit in this matter and get some brass. Georgia has seen what happens when illegals try to take over a town. We don't want that in our state. Sonny is the one Gov. that I knew would do something about it.

[Lazarus]

Who's that gorgeous creature standing just to the right of the governor in that pic...?
:whistle:

[Charity]

:-) (Blushing)
Just lil ol me.
Hugs* thank you for the compliment Laz.
That pic was taken a couple of years ago (all of them in fact) at the Georgia Homeschool Day at the Cap.

I caught a lot of flack that day for wearing white shoes after Labor Day LOL.
But....the shoes matched the white tank top I had on under the blue blazer.

[Riverboat]

I caught a lot of flack that day for wearing white shoes after Labor Day At least you had the sense not to wear a hat indoors.

[Charity]

LOL well that guy on the end there never takes off that hat. I don't think there is a man alive that would want to try to make him either. He really does have a good reason for wearing it. This hat gives him the right to waer any hat he wants now.
http://www.suasponte.com/photos/modern%20rangers/blkbrt.jpg

[Riverboat]

Aaah, it's a mania for me, like proper punctuation and spelling. It's the way I was raised. I'm not familiar with military insignia. Army Ranger? I'm pretty sure a man in uniform would remove that, too. Either way, from my perspective it looks more like a cowboy hat.

[Charity]

1st Battalion - 75th Ranger Regiment

[Charity]

I have fussed at him to take his cowboy hat off in the past but I just gave up. I figure if he feels that strongly about wearing it, then it's his choice. He, like his past regiment buddies, are a breed alone. I have a funny story about Pres. Cater's wife coming to visit when he was in the Army and the fright she got from the unit, but that's another thread.

[Riverboat]

I have a funny story about Pres. Cater's wife coming to visit when he was in the Army and the fright she got from the unit, but that's another thread.I'm looking forward to reading it. Was the guy dressed in a bunny suit? But what am I saying. That would only scare her husband.

[Charity]

I'm looking forward to reading it. Was the guy dressed in a bunny suit? But what am I saying. That would only scare her husband.

LOL

Real quick and long story short:

Back in the day, Carter's wife decided she would visit the unit to see how things were. Our guys had just finished some heavy stuff and they were wired up pretty tight. They saw her and decided to give her a "show" (snicker). Well, she came running off the field screaming, "they are turning them into ANIMALS". lol
Hubby still gets a kick out of telling it.

[Rhino]

Cahtuh came to visit my intel squadron once and they wouldn't let him in because nobody transmitted his security clearance beforehand. He blew it off, but the brass was ticked off. The Security Police were following proper procedure though.

[Charity]

Rhino
I would love to get you and my hubby together. I'll bet you guys would really enjoy sharing old Army stories. :-) He would like you. He is not much for posting on the net though. I guess it's mostly because I hog the puter so much. LOL

[Rhino]

Would be fun, as long as he doesn't mind talking to an Air Force puke.

[Charity]

He would love it. :-)

[Rhino]

Well, when I move to Alabama or Tennessee in a couple of years.....

[Charity]

Look us up and we will go to lunch. :-)

Riverboat- I just thought of one time this year hubby did take off his cowboy hat. A couple of weeks ago at a Christian Broadcaster's Banquet. The man will die with his boots and hat on.

[Riverboat]

Cahtuh came to visit my intel squadron once and they wouldn't let him in because nobody transmitted his security clearance beforehand. He blew it off, but the brass was ticked off. The Security Police were following proper procedure though.It's a bad sign when the president of the United States can't get into a military squadron. I bet they would've let his successor in toute suite, though.

[Riverboat]

P.S.: What's this Wal-Mart day on May 1 about?

[Charity]

Indoors, a man always takes off his hat, except:(1) in public buildings
http://www.countrycalendar.com/Country_Store/hats/faq_cowboy_hats.htm

[Charity]

P.S.: What's this Wal-Mart day on May 1 about?
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
This is the day America should go shopping. :-)

[Rhino]

P.S.: What's this Wal-Mart day on May 1 about?
http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/showthread.php?t=34451

[Rink]

:-) (Blushing)
Just lil ol me.
Hugs* thank you for the compliment Laz.
That pic was taken a couple of years ago (all of them in fact) at the Georgia Homeschool Day at the Cap.

I caught a lot of flack that day for wearing white shoes after Labor Day LOL.
But....the shoes matched the white tank top I had on under the blue blazer.

Um I dont understand, whats the deal bout wearin white after Labor day??

:question:

Sorry Just never heard of such a thing. *shrugs*

[dPrasse]

Riverboat- I just thought of one time this year hubby did take off his cowboy hat. .... The man will die with his boots and hat on.

Nothing wrong with that !! My feet are shaped like cowboy boots :O

[Rhino]

Um I dont understand, whats the deal bout wearin white after Labor day??

Sorry Just never heard of such a thing. *shrugs*Neither have I. Must be some union rule.

[Charity]

Um I dont understand, whats the deal bout wearin white after Labor day??

:question:

Sorry Just never heard of such a thing. *shrugs*<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

You never heard that Rink? My mom (who dresses like Joan Crawford) always used to tell me that. It was one of her big taboos LOL. I thought everyone had heard of it.

I don't actually know where that came from but it is worth looking up. I'll see what I can find.

[Rink]

Nope not heard of it, but the second reference I heard of 'wearin white a no-no after labor day' was a commercial bout this black girl that loved shopping and enjoyed good clothes, and when a nurse walked by her in this school hall she commented "I cant believe she's wearing white after labor day"

Where did this particular color thing after labor day originate from?

[Charity]

Don't let this gal see you wearing white shoes inappropriatly LOL.
http://www.deadrabbit.org/movievault/imagerX.php?image=serialmom.jpg
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000JGHR.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://www.deadrabbit.org/movievault/imagerX.php?image=serialmom.jpg

[Charity]

LOL This is one of the people Kathleen kills in the movie. She killed her for wearing white shoes after Labor Day.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/images/story.serial.mom.jpg

[Charity]

I wish we could split this thread. I think we went off topic a lot . Oops.

[Rink]

LOL Now i gotta go check out that movie *snickers*

Ya I think we did go off-topic LOL Owell :D

[Charity]

It's a funny movie Rink. :-)
You know us gals, we tend to get off topic at times.