Click to enlarge photos.By D. A. King
Guest Columnist
It's impossible to say how many illegal aliens - including potential terrorists - have been enabled, encouraged and rewarded with business licenses by Cobb County and its six cities since last July. The tools provided from keeping exactly that from happening are not being used here, and we may never know - but even one is too many.
What we do know is that these governments are among the huge majority of local governments in Georgia that have failed to comply with state Senator Chip Rogers' (R- Cobb) 2006 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act (SB 529).
SB 529 requires that local governments - municipalities and counties - obtain a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) with the federal government to use a federal data-base called the "Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements" (SAVE) system to screen non-citizen applicants who have sworn that they are in the U.S. lawfully and are eligible for what the feds call "public benefits."
Of the 535 municipalities and 159 counties in the state, a June 23 list provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shows that a grand total of nine entities in Georgia are authorized to use the SAVE program - which is designed to verify that public benefits go to those who are eligible.
While the term "public benefits" brings to mind welfare and social benefits, according to the law, they also include all "professional licenses, or commercial licenses provided by an agency of a State or local government or by appropriated funds of a State or local government." That includes issuing and renewing these little local revenue enhancing permits.
Alone among the Cobb governments, the county is the only one to have bothered to obey the law and enroll in SAVE - but it is not using the system to verify applicants for business licenses.
I know. As the president of an unincorporated Cobb-based corporation, the nonprofit Dustin Inman Society, last week, I (belatedly) applied for and received a "Cobb County Business License, Business Registration, Occupational Tax Certificate."
Ours is marked "Regular License."
SB 529 is essentially a state law saying that in Georgia, we must obey and help enforce long standing federal law. What a concept.
Under that law, what is supposed to happen when someone applies for a public benefit is that he or she must sign an affidavit swearing that they are either a U.S. citizen or a "qualified alien" lawfully present in the United States. If it is the latter, the applicant's eligibility (using immigration status) for public benefits must be verified using the SAVE system.
When I made my application, I was not required to show any ID and was never asked to complete or sign the mandated affidavit.
On issuing business licenses, Cobb County is in clear violation of the law. As is Marietta and every other city in Cobb.
Because this longtime American studies immigration and the laws that are meant to regulate that process, I know how dry and boringly "political" all of this can sound to people who don't spend all day monitoring the crimes of illegal immigration, illegal employment and illegally obtaining - and dispensing - public benefits.
Think about it this way: Right now, brave Border Patrol agents are risking their lives to do what they can to stop illegal immigration into our children's nation.
Those illegal aliens who escape apprehension at our borders and make it to Cobb County can go get a business license and begin to look for a better life - courtesy of our local governments. The same governments we count on to protect us from the costly realities of illegal immigration and the same governments charged with implementing key parts of the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act. Feel safer?
If the gravity of this state of affairs still does not hit the reader, think about this: How loud would the howls be if the same governments were to refuse to enforce the laws that grant taxpayer-funded education and medical care to illegals?
SB 529 was signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue more than two years ago and went into effect almost exactly a year ago. Sadly, there is much more to this story of government non-compliance. Stay tuned.
A widely recognized authority on illegal immigration, D.A. King is president of the Cobb-based Dustin Inman Society, named after a Georgia youth who lost his life to illegal immigration.
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Posted Comments
SB 529 is an unfunded mandate. I'm sure when the State of Georgia agrees to pay the cost of running all these checks more local jurisdictions will step to the plate. Until the state funding arrives, I applaud our local governments for not pursuing SAVE. And I for one am sick to death of Mr. King's race baiting.
STOP THE MADNESS! King is right! No more encoragement of illegal actions - no more local government assistance. Governor Olens? Maybe, but not with this.
I have been quiet until now, and thought my Cobb goverment was doing the right thing. I am shocked at this, and will never forget. I live in the city of Marietta and will be calling to see what in the world they are thinking. I remember when Americans were first in line here. And I remember the law. I am happy to see that I am not alone but sad to see that my politicians are not on my side.
What in th world is happerning to our state? Thank you D.A. - again.
blah, blah, blah. D.A. King is once again angry that he cannot get his. He is jealous of the successes of latinos and realizes that they are the true engines in the economy. I feel safe knowing that our political leaders realize the benefit to our community and refuse to use fear mongering by a small group to keep out businesses in Cobb.
I guess it is OK for the white man to 'belatedly' apply for his license. In other words Mr. King, YOU have been operating a business illegally in Cobb! Not being asked to fill out the form at the business license office is perfect example of how someone that looks 'white' is not asked immigration status. Do you really doubt there is no racial profiling now?
When did the Drug War become Illegal Immigration? I missed it!
Thanks for the details, D.A. It's time for citizens to file lawsuits against local governments for their falure to obey the laws of this land & failure to protect its citizens. Sounds like its also time to call Sonny!
The contractors are evading the spirit and intent of this law as well, while working on Cobb road projects. Our taxpayers are supporting sub-contractors hiring of illegals to make obscene profits while American taxpayers are facing economic hardships. We need those jobs for legal residents and we should be outraged. When our government forces us to support illegal activity, which can easily be determined using e-verify, and chooses to then ignore how our taxes are spent, we need to demand an investigation. Cobb can do the right thing to support the law by just requiring employee audits for all contractors and subcontractors receiving county money.
Hear, Hear! Mr. King continue to bring to light at our government's woeful inadequacy in enforcing our laws... whether it is due to corruption or fear of backlashes from radical liberals and/or loss of kickbacks from businesses. It is time to replace these officials with citizens who will enforce our laws and not allow the minority to rule!
Mr. King: Our government is loaded with Freebies for the illegals. We have people from all over the country attending The Homeland Security College one weekend a month in Washington, D.C. They have to pay for their own flight, the government does not pay for it.
Not only is the issue of issuing business license's to illegals, its also an issue when utilities furnish service. Giving utility services to any illegal is clearly aiding and abetting, which is an illegal act per the ICE. If ICE bothered to walk into any WalMart of Friday or Sat in Cobb County they could fill several buses up with illegals. Especially if they checked ID of those in line to send money home. A lady in the WalMart on Cobb Parkway said on any Friday she sends over $1 million dollars to Mexico just on her shift.
Mr. King is totally wrong on this issue. A business license is a tax, not a license. I think he is a little confused about the difference in a professional license (engineer, lawyer, contractor, etc) and an occupational tax (business license). He may want to get his facts straight.
This is a recuring problem regarding immigration laws. We pass many immigration laws and the either Federal, state or even local governments employ "selective enforcement". In other words, these are only laws on paper, never intended to be enforced by either intentional neglect or intentional under finding. This is why I have little faith in any new laws, like the Save Act. Congress also passed a fence act, but have either changed the criteria or under funded it. Only a revolution at either the ballot box or the streets will change anything. Lock and load.
THANK YOU DA. At least there is someone fighting for the rights of legal citizens. If only we had a government funded PAC and private corp lobbyists as "others".
Pat....E-Verify is for employment. SAVE verifies public benefits. Two different topics.
I can't believe the MDJ calls this uneducated blowhard a "widely recognized authority" Scary.
Sam Adams...so what are you educated in? Blasting American citizens that care enough about their country to actually make a difference & fight for it? Is there a reason why you think our laws should not be enforced? Do you favor anarchy? At least D.A. doensn't have to hide behind a fake name, when he speaks out, Sam!
DA King get a life!
What is the point of passing laws if they can simply be ignored? This is an outrage and I would be glad to join any group who wants to stand in front of the proper officials with signs asking why our laws are being ignored. Perhaps I can just ignore my property tax bill when it arrives?
of teling the truth.
Well, first "mk" (which is strange, I mean that you Mom named you with initials...surely YOU aren't too cowardly to write your whole name) My name is, in fact Sam K. Adams, I lived on Maple Drive right off the square for 7 years, now I live closer to the city. Now..as far as my education, I have a Masters and a law degree. Now, as far an anarchy, no, not really for it. I am an ex-military man, I fought in the Gulf War and I've been in law enforcement for 9 years. Moving to DA's ridiculous position, local governments have no money to enforce SB 529, because the state won't give it to them. You see, mk (if that is your true name, or intial, or whatever) SB 529 is what's called an 'oil' bill. It's to keep the crazy, whiny, squeaky wheels like DA quiet, but not really meant to accomplish anything. Before you start pounding your chest about how we should spend the money on it, I suggest you go to our local school, police departments, fire departments, etc. and I am sure you will find them in need of funds.
What can I do to tell the officials of Cobb county about my outrage about the problems of illegsl aliens in our county.
Iam shocked at cobb goverments lack of action on illegal immigration and will not forget their lack of concern for tax paying citisens and Iam sick of tax dollars going to contractors that hire illegals
THIS DOESN'T SURPRISE ME AT ALL!!! Cobb county is known for doing as they please!! They seem to make up their own LAWS as they go along. REVENUE IS THEIR MAIN CONCERN; NOT INFORCING THE LAWS TO PROTECT THEIR LEGAL CITICENS.. Hopefully someone, someday, will care enough to reign them in.
It is shameful that our government (Local) doess not see t he necessityto cooperate with sstate and Federal alawss to control the immigtate lLeagal and Unleagal -- Laws are enacted to protect the public not some political sentiments of a few !!!!!
Wake up people. These illegal aliens are here and having babies at the tax payers expence. Some are already old enough to vote. You can forget about America being the Country that our forefathers shed their blood for. If our Federal, State and County governments do not inforce our present laws which are on the books now. America will be no longer. It will be a thing of the past. Gone with the wind. Every American should speak up loudly and be heard. Quit voteing for the far left. Your tax money is paying for the milk and honey of illegal aliens. Your children will be in bondage to a other cultures. Robert Phillips
Kudos to Mr. King for bringing this subject to light. It's time to stop the invasion.
Great work as always, DA King! Since moving to GA from CA, I know ALL about the criminal alien invasion and the greed & corruption fueling the government complicity which allows it (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more - maybe nobody will notice!). Well, we held Congress's feet to the fire in DC & we can to it to these slow-poke rubes in GA, too. If they are dragging their feet about the funding or whatever other smoke-screen game they are trying to play, our tenacity will WEAR THEM DOWN! Step by step, America is waking up - after so much American blood spilled on our soil, it's high time!!
Entering a name can lead to retaliation by these same illegals. Being from California and Florida I and my family are well aware of the havok these people play. We have a son whose mind was destroyed by mind altering drugs placed in a punch bowl, at a birthday party' by illegals who "crashed" the party. Several others at the party were similarly affected. Maybe if some of these so called "Do Gooders" in Sonny's Government suffered the same tragic events they wouldn't be so quick to look the other way. But then we all know "Money Talks"