I forgot to post this last week.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: J.D. Easley

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
(404) 656-0311

john.easley@house.ga.gov

Rep. Rick Austin Introduces House Bill 1164

HB 1164 to protect Georgians from unemployment and benefits loss due to illegal immigration

ATLANTA— In an effort to protect jobs and benefits for Georgians, Representative Rick Austin (R-Demorest) today introduced House Bill 1164 – legislation designed to build on the 2006 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act (GSICA). This bill would specifically provide refined verification methods and expand transparency in compliance with existing federal and state public benefits and employments laws.

“In 2006, the state of Georgia became a national leader in attempting to protect its citizens from job and benefits loss due to the crime of illegal immigration,” said Representative Austin. “No reasonable person can argue that we can allow even one Georgian to go without a job or benefit because our borders are not secured or because the federal government failed to enforce our immigration laws. This legislation is aimed at assisting local governments and official agencies in their effort to comply with the law.”

“As we continue to deal with declining state revenues and increasing unemployment, we must ensure that every dollar we appropriate is spent on jobs, services, and benefits for Georgians who are eligible,” added Representative Austin.

HB 1164 expands the existing verification and audit system to ensure compliance with federal and state laws designed to ensure that Georgia’s jobs and public benefits go only to eligible citizens or lawfully present aliens. The bill also provides for the continued training of state peace officers to participate in the highly successful federal 287(g) program mandated in the 2006 GSICA.

Cosponsors of the bill include Representatives Tom Rice (R-Norcross), Melvin Everson (R-Snellville), Burke Day (R-Tybee Island), Mike Coan (R-Lawrenceville), and Sean Jerguson (R- Holly Springs).

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Representative Rick Austin, PhD. represents the citizens of District 10, which includes Habersham County and portions of White County. He was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2008, and currently serves on the Children & Youth, Education, Motor Vehicles, Ways and Means, and Appropriations Committees.