House Democrats Oppose Immigration Bill

House Democrats say a new Arizona-style bill is could hurt Georgia’s tourism and agriculture industry.

On March 2, the Georgia House Democratic Caucus voted to oppose H.B. 87, a bill Democrats say would allow local police to randomly detain anyone who could not produce documentation of citizenship or suspected of transporting those thought to be undocumented.

"No one in our caucus is condoning illegal immigration," said Caucus Treasurer Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield in a released statement. "But this bill does not solve that issue, and it creates new ones.  We must be mindful of the side effects of any legislation on business, tourism, and law enforcement. Our state can ill-afford what Arizona has been through."

On Monday, the bill passed out of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee completely along party lines, Democrats said. The bill has been added to the March 3 House Calendar.

House Minority Leader Rep. Stacey Abrams said the legislation would harm Georgia’s reputation and economic well-being.

"This bill raises concerns about racial profiling, burdens local law enforcement without providing additional financial support and may yet prove unconstitutional, potentially exposing local governments to costly lawsuits," Abrams said.

According to a Democratic caucus press release, H.B. 87 would allow individual citizens to file suit against local governments or agencies not complying with the requirement to use E-Verify, an Internet-based system that enables employer to determine an employee's eligibility to work in the United States. The bill also includes a provision to make presenting false documentation or information when applying for a job a felony offense, punishable by one to 15 years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000. 

House Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley said the bill could even hurt women fleeing domestic violence.

"Women seeking to provide for their families while awaiting a slow federal process to help them secure new identities.  These women deserve our protection, not the possibility of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine," said Hugley.

Rep. Brian Thomas, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said the legislation would weaken Georgia’s efforts to recruit new businesses to Georgia.

"Several corporations have publicly condemned Arizona-style immigration laws and vowed to boycott states that enact similar legislation. They have adopted internal policies that state they will not do business in states with legislation like Arizona," Rep. Thomas said. "We cannot afford to chase businesses away from Georgia, especially with unemployment hovering near ten percent."

House Democrats cite statistics from the American Civil Liberties Union which indicate Arizona’s S.B. 1070 has cost the state more than $140 million in cancelled conventions.

"For 2011, Arizona has lost more than $45 million due to cancelled conventions and boycotts.  Georgia relies on tourism to feed our families.  This bill will not curb illegal immigration, but it will put a black-eye on our state and send jobs elsewhere.  This is an anti-economic development bill that will haunt Georgia for years to come," said Rep. Abrams.