Georgia State Senators Lobby Against Immigration Bill
Georgia State Senate
The U.S. Senate Wednesday began debating an overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws. A group of state lawmakers is now urging Georgia’s U.S. senators to vote against the proposed bill.
The bill would provide a path to citizenship and make it easier for U.S. companies to hire foreign workers. But ten Republicans in the Georgia State Senate say before a pathway to citizenship can be addressed, the bill needs to focus on securing borders.
“This is not just a question about immigration policy, but it’s a question about homeland defense,” said Sen. Josh McKoon (R – Columbus). “If we’re unable to prevent unauthorized access in and out of our country, we’re really leaving open a serious vulnerability to terrorism.”
McKoon was one of the 10 senators who sent a letter to U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss urging a “no” vote.
He says the bill also would have large financial costs on Georgia and the issues on immigration should be tackled separately.
“What we are talking about is a massive unfunded mandated from the federal government if we just willy-nilly pass some omnibus piece of legislation,” he said.
But Sen. Curt Thompson (D – Tucker), disagrees and said a comprehensive solution is needed.
“The problem if you do that is you’re basically saying you never want to deal with anything that will rectify the situation for the 11 million undocumented or illegal immigrants in this country,” Thompson said.
Thompson says instead of costing the state, the bill would help Georgia businesses who rely on immigrant employees.
“I think it’s necessary for the economy, it’s necessary for business, it’s necessary to bring folks out of the shadows,” Thompson said.
Both Senators Isakson and Chambliss voted to begin debate. However, both have not indicated how they’ll vote on the bill.
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