http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/ ... ?ID=100938

Updated Friday, February 10 at 8:44 PM

'Illegal Immigrant Fee' bill goes to the gold dome

by staff reports

ATLANTA - A bill has been introduced in the state house by Gwinnett County Rep. Tom Rice to levy a surcharge on illegal immigrants funneling money out of the country using wire transfers.

"It would place an illegal immigration fee if they cannot show documentation that proves they are here legally," said Hall County State Representative James Mills, who is chairman of the House Banks and Banking Committee.

"If they cannot show that, then they will have to pay 5% fee on money that's wired out," he said, "We're losing untold millions out of our economy, money being earned here in Georgia, and yet being wired out of the country."

Mills says the fees would go back into the state treasury and earmarked for indigent care.

The bill passed the Banks and Banking Committee in the Georgia House and will now go before the House Rules Committee.

Mills says the bill does not apply to banks, "They discovered that about 80% of all money wired out goes through wire-transfer businesses and would apply to Western Union and MoneyGram, and businesses like that."

"I just think its an issue that's worthy of discussion and debate," said Mills, "We're losing so much money out of this economy through money wired out. I think the number two Gross National Product in Mexico is wire-transfers from the U.S."