Thread: Ga: Minor provision in legislation targets trafficking

Minor provision in Georgia's immigration legislation targets human trafficking
By Greg Bluestein - Associated Press

ATLANTA --While immigrant rights groups loudly protested a broad new Georgia law that denies many state benefits to those here illegally, there is one provision buried within the legislation that they had quietly supported.

In a display of affection toward a law they had so bitterly opposed, many of the bill's most vocal critics gathered Thursday at the Latin American Association's Atlanta office to celebrate a provision in the bill that cracks down on human trafficking.

"Many of us had problems with the bill, it's terrible in many respects," said Stephanie Davis, a policy adviser for Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "But we fought hard for this portion of it."

Even critics couldn't help but cheer the portion that ramps up the penalties for those found guilty of trafficking people.

It's partly because many of the victims are immigrants, said Alia El-Sawi, who heads the Georgia Rescue and Restore Coalition, a group that tries to help victims.

The law, which took effect in July, makes human trafficking a felony and sets a minimum prison sentence at 10 years.

It also gives authorities more leeway to prosecute pimps and johns, lowering the standard they must meet to prove suspects are guilty.

"It takes the burden off the victim," Atlanta police Sgt. Ernest Britton, who heads the city's child exploitation task force.

"You don't necessarily need the testimony of the victim to make the case. I don't have to have a child tell me very intimate, very personal details," he said. "With the new law, we can put together a solid case without having to put the victim through this traumatic experience."

Immigrant advocacy groups blasted Senate Bill 529 last year, claiming that the provisions unfairly targeted immigrants - illegal or not.

One section that has drawn criticism requires Georgia residents to prove their U.S. citizenship or legal status to get most public benefits, such as food stamps, Medicaid, assistance for paying heating or cooling costs.

Another requires all public employers and contractors with more than 500 employees ensure that all new hires are eligible to work.

Ann Harris, a senior district attorney in suburban Atlanta's Cobb County, said she helped craft the bill because there was no clear state charge that targeted child traffickers.

She said she mentioned the problem to Republican state Sen. Chip Rogers in 2005 and was surprised to see an anti-trafficking statute in his immigration bill months later.

"While we were not happy with the vehicle, we were incredible happy with the provision because we knew it would get a hearing," she said.

She and other prosecutors helped mold it to Georgia standards. Its greatest strength, she said, allows prosecutors to piece together a pattern of crimes that otherwise would be handled as isolated incidents.

"You now have an umbrella crime that will reach a lot of discreet crimes that would otherwise carry minor penalties," Harris said.

The law has likely been used little since it took effect just a month ago, but there's hope that it could lead to more vigorous rounds of enforcement.

"We have a brand new tool and hopefully it will be used. I'm feeling a tremendous amount of momentum to make this community a 'no tolerance zone' for child prostitution," said Davis, who advises the mayor on women's issues.

"My greatest fear is that it won't be enforced," she said. "There are lots of laws on the books now that aren't being enforced. At the end of the day, if not one more trafficker is arrested, if not one more kid is rescued, then what have we got?"

http://www.macon.com/206/story/114736.html

Yea right! they are hear to work hard and support there families and send money home. First sign of removing their welfare or social services, free healthcare that Ameican taxpayers are paying for they get mad! Well welcome to the real world. Where real American's can't afford health care, or loose their homes with liens if they seek medical help. The red carpet appears to be rolling up! I say good enough! pay your own way!