Illegal Immigration Discussed At Town Hall Meeting
http://www.wdef.com/news/illegal_immigr ... ng/08/2007
By Kristen Johnson
Created Aug 7 2007 - 10:54pm

North Georgia Congressman Nathan Deal continues to push for tougher regulation of illegal immigration.

And that was the hot topic in a town forum today in North Georgia.

Now he wants to change the rule that says if you're born here, you're a citizen.


The nation as a whole is seeing a spike in the foreign born population.

And as Congressman Nathan Deal points out in this graph, Georgia is no exception.

While Deal is quick to say not everyone who comes into this country is illegal.

Deal says, "I don't think you can explain these dramatic increases without accounting a significant portion of it to illegal immigration."

Nurse Practitioner Kathy Schleier sees first hand the effects illegal immigration has on the U.S. Healthcare system.

Schleier says, "What's happening is the parents will be deported and these children are placed with a relative or when they can't find a relative..there going to a foster home...we're given a double whammy in having to take care of these children."

Congressman Deal acknowledges healthcare as one of the three major areas effected by illegal immigration.

That's why he's introduced a bill that would stop giving citizenship to what he calls "anchor babies."

Deal says, "Unless at least one of the parents of a child is legally in the country at the time the child is born...that the child will not be extended citizenship in this country."

Others in the audience say too many jobs are being lost to the increasing number of illegal immigrants.

Deal says some will argue that's not the case, but says he has seen instances first hand where that's exactly the case.

Deal says, "They are no longer restricted to the carpet industry or poultry plants..they've taken over most of the sub-contracting work and landscaping."


Deal's solution to the illegal immigration problem - He says quite simply..it will start with enforcing the law and getting back to the fact that the United States is founded on the rule of law.


Source URL:
http://wdef.com/news/illegal_immigratio ... ng/08/2007
Copyright © 2006 Morris Multimedia & WDEF-TV | All rights reserved.