Thread: What should the U.S. do about the millions of illegals

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GEORGIA 2008

What should the U.S. do about the millions of illegal immigrants now living in this country?

By JIM THARPE /
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/30/08
In the weeks leading up to the July 15 primary election, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will pose questions to candidates for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Saxby Chambliss. Candidates are given 150 words to answer. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Chambliss and Libertarian Allen Buckley in November.


What should the U.S. do about the millions of illegal immigrants now living in this country?


The Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss: Congress must make every effort to secure our borders and enforce our existing laws. Illegal immigrants will then have no alternative but to leave. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats continue to block measures to stem the tide of illegal immigration.

I absolutely oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants. I co-sponsored a measure to fund border security, immigration enforcement and criminal alien removal programs. I introduced "The Effective Immigration Enforcement Partnerships Act of 2008" and I formed the Border Security and Enforcement First Caucus in the U.S. Senate.

We are making progress. We have increased the number of border security agents; construction of a border fence has begun; and we are training local law enforcement to fight illegal immigration at the local level.

Despite this progress, our healthcare, educational and judicial systems continue to be overburdened with illegal immigrants. I will continue to address this problem one legislative effort at a time.

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss is a former representative and attorney from Moultrie.


The Democrats


Vernon Jones:The failed amnesty bill supported by President Bush and rubber-stamped by Senator Chambliss is not the answer. We must secure the border and enforce the law.

Vernon Jones is CEO of DeKalb County and a former state legislator.


Rand Knight:

The United States must enforce existing immigration laws, fine individuals who employ undocumented workers; require employers to open jobs to American citizens first; run checks on social security numbers of all hires; give those here illegally a chance to start the process of citizenship – to be granted after they pay back-taxes; and we must act diplomatically to help other governments find ways to employ their own citizens. In Georgia, we benefit from the labor of undocumented workers. Many of these workers labor for below minimum wage and in jobs that few others desire to perform. Georgia's economy would suffer a major setback if the proposed immigration reform does not include recognition that both a social and economic transition must occur. While we all came here in separate boats, we're in the same boat now, and we must help this country to come together to eliminate injustice and restore our economy.

Rand Knight is an Atlanta businessman.


Dale Cardwell: Most of us agree on the need to secure our borders and reform immigration. The problem is corporations that fund campaigns want something else: cheap, undocumented labor. If we break the stranglehold those special interests have on their "bought" politicians, we can base immigration reform on pursuit of the American dream: If you contribute to our economy (but don't take an American's job,) speak or commit to learn English, and want to assimilate, then you should have an equal chance to apply. At the same time, we must, in the next term of Congress, implement a foolproof document verification system (burden on the government) employers have to access before applicants can be hired. Going forward, illegal employers will be prosecuted for hiring undocumented workers. Illegals already employed will not be fired or "rounded up," but will have an incentive to go home, get in line, and legally pursue the dream.

Dale Cardwell is a former investigative reporter for WSB-TV in Atlanta.


Jim Martin: Under the Bush Administration, 4 million new people have entered our country illegally. Saxby Chambliss has voted four times against increased funding for border security and has taken millions of dollars from the business interests that benefit from the broken Bush system. When he was Chair of the Immigration subcommittee, Chambliss should have been holding the Administration accountable, not toeing the line for special interests. I have a record of standing up against special interests, and getting things done for Georgia families, and I can bring to Washington an effective and fair solution to our immigration problem.

I believe there are two things we need to do immediately. We must secure our borders, and we have to crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers. Once we do this, we can then move to address the need for real and comprehensive immigration reform.

Jim Martin is a former state legislator and former head of the state Department of Human Resources.


Josh Lanier: America is a nation of immigrants. It is also a nation of laws. One may not abuse the other if we are to have a rational and enforceable immigration policy that reflects American values and recognizes both our security and national interests. This issue, however, has become infected with bad ideas, special interests, lack of respect for the law, and pandering politicians.

I would support policies that (1) bring our immigration programs and backlogs up to date, (2) simplify and enforce our employment laws, (3) establish a limited Pay Your Debt to Society program whereby some currently here illegally and employed can plead guilty to a misdemeanor with a significant fine, pay any back taxes owed, and then apply for legal alien status under normal procedures, and (4) leave the question of citizenship up to the application process as with any other immigrant.

Josh Lanier is a retired businessman and former U.S. Senate staffer who lives in Statesboro.


The Libertarian

Allen Buckley:Provide employers advance notice of potential audits and reliable means to verify legal status of workers that can be used only for employment purposes. Simultaneously eliminate food stamps for people able to work. After 90 days, audit employers in industries known to employ illegal aliens. Employers breaking the law could avoid substantial penalties only by offering jobs at 1.33 times the price paid to illegal aliens. For jobs not filled by Americans, illegal aliens could qualify for VISAs if they owe no taxes and pay a $5,000 fine and a $1,500 fee for immediate VISA eligibility. Illegal aliens unable to prove that all taxes have been paid for the preceding 4 year period would be required to pay the lesser of proven taxes due, interest and penalties or $10,000. The taxes due could be paid over a few years, with interest. Free transportation to Mexico would be offered. Allen Buckley is an attorney/CPA who lives in Smyrna.

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Senator Chambliss makes good points about enforcing the laws etc.

Too bad the Senate Democrats, and McCain/Obama don't believe in this.

My voet will be

www.chuckbaldwinlive.com

www.baldwin2008.com

We need to have someone to uphold the laws of the USA, not showing the favortism to the illegal invasion. The AMERICAN people have to put up with this while those in the government are laughting there butts off.
They could care less, becase they are not the ones being terroized, with these people. Obama or mccain will finish the job bushie has started.
That will be to distory AMERICA.

Saxby has the right idea. He ad Johnny Iskson had the right idea before McCain and Kennedy came uop with "Comprehensive Reform". I am sure that extrmem pressure was put on the two GA Senators to "cooperate" . They signed on to Kennedy's bill because it had some of the things they wanted in it. Problem---Kennedy's bill had amnesty in it. Saxby came home to Georgia anwas roundly booed and hissed by hie onetime supporters. He and Johnny backed off on supporting the Kennedy proposal. They found out quickly that Georgians did not want to reward lawbreakers with one of the greatest gifts on this planet---American citiizenship. I had voted fro Saxby, but I turned against both Senators on this issue. IMHO, Saxby has reversed himself and gone back to the basics that he and Johnny first came up with.
I believe he supports border security and "Attrition Through Enforcement".
I, for one, am back in Saxby's camp.
Rand Knight and Allan Buckley propose another form of amnesty. He is dead wrong on a "setback" to Georgia's econemy. Check out Oklahoma's success. He also uses the same old tired arguments that try to conceal, "Jobs Americans won't do. And, by God, I am not in the same boat.
Josh Lanier offers the same deal, but to a "select" group. Who selects???? him??????

Originally Posted by misterbill

and gone back to the basics that he and Johnny first came up with.
I believe he supports border security and "Attrition Through Enforcement".

This is the logical, cost effective, and humane way to solve the illegal immigration crisis.