Thread: Many Immigrants Leaving Georgia Behind

Many Immigrants Leaving Georgia Behind

New law’s impact goes beyond targeting those in the state illegally.


Henry Zamora, pastor of The Harvest 3 church in Doraville, leads his congregation in morning worship on a recent Sunday. The Pentacostal minister is concerned about the effect a tough new immigration law in Georgia will have on church membership and charity efforts like the church pantry.

Henry Zamora, pastor of The Harvest 3 church in Doraville, leads his congregation in morning worship on a recent Sunday. The Pentacostal minister is concerned about the effect a tough new immigration law in Georgia will have on church membership and charity efforts like the church pantry.

The single mother is one of many illegal immigrants in metro Atlanta who say they are fleeing Georgia before the state’s tough new immigration enforcement law takes effect on July 1. Others say they are making similar plans in case opponents of the new law are unable to block it in the courts.

These developments show Georgia’s new law is having its desired impact, even weeks before it is scheduled to become law. But the law also is starting to produce a ripple effect.

Businesses that cater to the region’s Hispanic residents say the new law has sown fear among immigrants, scaring away their customers and employees. A grocery store chain that serves Hispanic immigrants says the new law has led to sharp cuts in sales at some of its locations, forcing it to consider closing one of its spots. And the pastors of local Hispanic churches say some of their parishioners are leaving Georgia and taking the donations that support charitable causes with them.

All of these people are connected in some way to a part of north DeKalb County that is home to the largest percentage of foreign-born residents in Georgia at 74 percent, according to census estimates. The area is bordered by Buford Highway, Peachtree Road, Clairmont Road and Dresden Drive and includes parts of Chamblee.

Most of the people living in that census tract were born in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico and are not U.S. citizens, census records show. The Census Bureau does not track immigration status.

Signed into law last month, House Bill 87 authorizes police to investigate the immigration status of suspects under certain conditions and arrest illegal immigrants and take them to jail. It also punishes people who knowingly harbor or transport illegal immigrants while committing another crime or use fake identification to get a job in Georgia.

Supporters of the law say the exodus of illegal immigrants shows it is working, though they said the tough economy could also be a factor. The state needed to pass the law, they said, because the federal government has failed to secure the nation’s borders, allowing illegal immigrants to stream into Georgia.

A recent estimate by the Pew Hispanic Center puts the number of illegal immigrants in Georgia at 425,000, the seventh-highest among the states.

“Businesses and individuals — including migrant workers — have absolutely nothing to fear if they are in compliance with the law,â€

This is great news! And if these people really are going to their country of origin, it' a huge BONUS!

once enough key states pass similar laws they will have no real good option other than go home!

The team of reporters should have been interviewing struggling US citizens and taxpayers who have contributed to the thousands of foreclosures each month because they have been out of work because of illegal aliens undercutting the job market.

This new law only affects those who are arrested for another crime. I don't know about you, but I made it to Social Security and have yet to be arrested. Sure, I have been stopped by police for speeding a couple of times, but I paid my ticket and for awhile anyway, followed the speed limits.

I did not drive until I was licensed to do so. That is the difference - they think they are immune to our laws, rules and civility. The few that are leaving are not nearly enough, a drop in the bucket. We have already reached our tipping point and our state is broke.

Thats real good news for Georgia but bad news for us here in KY.We are starting to see Florida and Georgia cars plates they arecoming in here by the groves.We have to get on our congress people here and get something done quick. HELP!!!!!

"“We are working,â€

And when they leave tell them to stay out and don't let the door hit ya in the butt on the way out