Georgia Immigration Law

Georgia Immigration Law June 22, 2011

The new Georgia Immigration Law was signed by the governor a few weeks ago but it has not taken effect yet. One of the many claims which helped this bill pass is that illegal immigrants take away jobs from legal immigrants and US citizens.

The effects of this upcoming law can already be felt. At my community there has been a mass exodus which has led to a Mass exodus. Immigrants are leaving Georgia very quickly to other states or their home countries. Deportations have increased. The number of letters I’ve written to immigration in the past few weeks stating a detained person is my parishioner and of good moral character has greatly increased.

In 2002 I asked a simple question at the South Carolina Republican Primary Gubernatorial debate at Furman. I asked the candidates, “If you enforce the laws which are in the books regarding illegal immigration, where will you find a workforce to replace the deported immigrants?” None of the candidates answered my question. All of them spoke strictly and blindly about enforcing the law.

This is the problem Governor Deal is facing today. Acres of crops ready to be harvested are rotting because so many immigrants have left. The largest industry in Georgia, agriculture, is greatly suffering. Who will do the work? This article suggests not even probationers want to do the demanding field work.

Georgia puts probationers to work

If you wonder about my stance on illegal immigration, read the link that follows. We must approach illegal immigration from a point of human dignity. It’s the same principles and values that make the Church speak strongly against abortion that compel the Church to speak on issues of illegal immigration.

I am proud of my bishop, Bishop Boland, who apart from the following statement, wrote a personal letter to the governor. I hear the governor wrote back a polite letter where he asserted he would not budge on his stance towards illegal immigration or its reform.

Georgia Bishop’s Pastoral Statement on Immigration


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