GA - State immigration panel to hold hearing on complaint

Posted: 4:37 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012
By Jeremy Redmon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A state panel aimed at cracking down on government agencies that don’t comply with Georgia’s immigration laws is preparing to schedule its first hearing on a complaint.

At issue is a complaint the Immigration Enforcement Review Board received this year from D.A. King, president of the Dustin Inman Society, which advocates for enforcement of U.S. immigration and employment laws.

King has accused the state Department of Community Affairs of not collecting information from local governments confirming whether they are authorized to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program for certain public benefits. That online program helps determine the immigration status of people so only those entitled to those benefits receive them.

During the board’s meeting Thursday, a top Community Affairs official said his agency is complying with the state’s immigration laws and has improved its reporting system. Still, the board voted to hold a hearing some time by mid-February to gather more information.

Also Thursday, the board voted to dismiss another complaint King filed. In that complaint, King highlighted how hundreds of local government agencies had not filed required annual reports certifying they and their public works contractors are using E-Verify. That federal program helps employers confirm their newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States.

King withdrew the complaint in a letter he sent the board’s chairman this month, though he did not give a reason.

Additionally, Ben Vinson, the board’s chairman, disclosed Thursday Robert Mumford had resigned from the panel because he won an election this year to serve as a superior court judge in Rockdale County. Vinson said House Speaker David Ralston, of Blue Ridge, will appoint Mumford’s replacement.

State immigration panel to hold hearing on complaint | www.ajc.com