Thread: GA: BROUN, GINGREY, GRAVES, KINGSTON, PRICE, SCOTT, WESTMORE

BROUN, GINGREY, GRAVES, KINGSTON, PRICE, SCOTT, WESTMORELAND CALL ON ICE TO ENFORCE STRICTER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

States News Service
February 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C.

The following information was released by the office of Georgia Rep. Paul Broun:

On Wednesday, February 9, 2011, Congressmen Paul Broun (GA-10), Phil Gingrey (GA-11), Tom Graves (GA-9), Jack Kingston (GA-1), Tom Price (GA-6), Austin Scott (GA-, and Lynn Westmoreland (GA-3) issued the following statements after meeting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary John Morton to demand swifter implementation of the Secure Communities Initiative in Georgia to combat illegal immigration:

Congressman Paul Broun (GA-10): "According to the Pew Hispanic Center, Georgia ranks seventh nationwide for the largest population of illegal immigrants. Not only does this wreak serious havoc economically on our social and educational systems, but illegal immigration exposes our citizens to increased criminal activity. Therefore, it is very critical that Immigration and Customs Enforcement expedite the full implementation of its Secure Communities initiative in Georgia, and it's critical that they do so now. I thank Assistant Secretary Morton for listening to our concerns. However, I remain very insistent that ICE take immediate action to ensure the safety and sovereignty of our nation."

Congressman Phil Gingrey (GA-11): "During the meeting with Assistant Secretary Morton, I sought an answer on why Georgia has not seen the Secure Communities Initiative immediately implemented in more than a handful of counties. The need for broader implementation became even more evident last week when I visited the U.S. border with Mexico. I saw first-hand the efforts to secure the border, maintain operational control of our ports of entry, and decrease the amount of illegal immigrants crossing into the country. I was pleased with the integrity and work ethic of our men and women on the front lines, but simply put, more needs to be done in areas with high levels of illegal immigrants like Georgia and it needs to be done right now."

Congressman Tom Graves (GA-9): "I join the rest of the delegation in thanking Assistant Secretary Morton for his attention to Georgia's very urgent need for top tier immigration enforcement. In the strongest terms possible, I strongly urge ICE to use its resources to uproot the major hubs of illegal immigration, not just 'trim the branches'. With the seventh largest illegal population in the United States, Georgia's law enforcement officials are on the front lines, and should never have to wait for backup while ICE sends reinforcements to the rear."

Congressman Jack Kingston (GA-1): " That this program is not already completely implemented across our state is another example of the federal government's complete ineptitude when it comes to enforcing our immigration laws. Georgia is at the forefront of this serious problem of illegal immigration. We have the seventh highest population and it's estimated that illegal immigration costs our state over $2.4 billion annually. We cannot longer afford to ignore it nor can we afford the federal government's considerable delays."

Congressman Tom Price (GA-6): "The safety and security of Georgia families is of utmost paramount importance," said Congressman Tom Price (R-GA), Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. "Working together, the Georgia Republican delegation has been diligent in pressing ICE to implement the Secure Communities program in a timely manner. Complete implementation is absolutely vital to ensuring we have protections in place for our families, friends and neighbors."

Congressman Austin Scott (GA-: "I thank Assistant Secretary Morton for taking the time to meet with us today. Illegal immigration is a growing concern in our state and there is a very urgent need for the Secure Communities Initiative to be implemented throughout Georgia. It is my hope that Georgia remains a high priority for ICE and that Mr. Morton recommends that the program be implemented statewide as soon as possible."

Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (GA-3): "I would like to thank ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton for meeting with us today. I had hoped Mr. Morton would have brought us the good news that ICE had decided to speed up the Secure Communities programs in Georgia, however, I understand that resources are stretched thin. Estimates put our illegal immigrant population at roughly 6.5 percent of our total workforce and it only continues to grow. We must be very proactive in combating the problem of illegal immigration, especially in states like Georgia that are particularly hard hit by illegal immigration. I would sincerely hope that Assistant Secretary Morton takes our concerns very seriously and is able to fully activate the Secure Communities program in Georgia as soon as possible."

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... 80&start=1

Put unemployed citizens to work, those that have knowledge of law enforcements and CJ degrees and let them assist ICE, after being trained certain job duties. This would most definitely create many jobs!