Below is a copy of an emailed press release from Angry Jerry Gonzalez. He doesn’t seem too happy.

For the actual FACTS that easily rebut this silly hysteria click HERE.

GALEO calls on Gov. Deal to veto SB160
Expands HB87, Targets U.S. citizen children
& may deny access to public benefits
Press Release

GALEO calls for a VETO of SB160 because of the expansion of HB87

Measure imports Alabama law and could deny access to public benefits of U.S. citizen children, among other problems it may cause

Atlanta, GA – April 2, 2013 -Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO, releases the following statement regarding the passage of SB160, Georgia’s expansion of Arizona-style law, and calls for a veto from Governor Nathan Deal.

“While our nation is poised to finally address and move forward on bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform, Georgia Legislators amended SB160 and burdened Georgia with more ill-conceived, anti-immigrant initiatives. Because of these changes, GALEO calls for Governor Deal to VETO SB160.

Originally, the legislation was aimed at alleviating some of the problems caused by HB87, Georgia’s version of the Arizona-style law passed in 2011. The original legislation was to simplify a complicated and bureaucratic mess on business and professional licenses. GALEO supported the original intent of the legislation as a commonsense curtailing of some of the consequences of an onerous HB87. Unfortunately, Georgia State Rep. Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) and some other legislators in the Georgia House, insisted on loading up the legislation with extremist anti-immigrant policies. These policies were part of the extreme problems which were passed into law in Alabama. Now, these anti-immigrant legislative leaders want to revive some of those policies for our state with the current changes in SB160. The changes are unjust, burdensome and unnecessary.

SB160 would eliminate the use of foreign passports as a valid form of ID, unless it is accompanied by immigration paperwork. This specific provision is the most controversial and burdensome import from the Alabama law. This section will create significant burden on local governments and schools all across the state.

European, KOREANS (i.e. people who work with Kia Motors), Japanese and Canadian visitors who participate in a visa waiver program and enter our state could find themselves with an invalid form of identification to enter state buildings or conduct any business within our state. These visitors are not required to have any of the additional documentation required under SB160, but are allowed legal entry into the United States because of the visa waiver program.

Because of the invalidation of foreign passports as an acceptable form of identification, SB160 could potentially:
• deny many immigrants access to water and sewage services provided by local governments (similar to the mess created by the Alabama law),
• deny many immigrants access to state and local buildings,
• deny many immigrant parents the ability to enroll their children in schools to the extent that the schools require a proof of identification,
• deny many U.S. citizen children with immigrant parents access to many public benefits,
• deny many immigrants the ability to obtain a marriage license.
These are not unintentional consequences, but targeted and intentional consequences to make Georgia an inhospitable place for foreign visitors.

At a time when our nation is moving forward with comprehensive immigration reform, it is unconscionable that Georgia Legislators insist on these type of Jose Crow laws which embarrass our state and make our state less hospitable for foreign visitors, foreign investment and harms our ability to maintain a healthy foreign workforce.

For all of these reasons, we call on Governor Nathan Deal to veto SB160.”

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Governor Nathan Deal
Office: 404.656.1776

Online form: http://gov.georgia.gov/webform/contact-governor-domestic-form
Office of the Governor Nathan Deal
206 Washington Street
111 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Fax: 404-657-7332

About Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)
GALEO’s mission is to increase civic engagement and leadership of the Latino/Hispanic community across Georgia.
CORE BELIEFS: Inclusive, Non-Partisan, Diversity, Responsive

Website:
http://www.galeo.org