The “illegal” problem that we have in Cobb County is massive. The position held by Commissioners Tim Lee, Helen Goreham and Lisa Cupid on IMAGE is intolerable. Their vote on IMAGE could have begun to diminish the “illegal” problem by starting to “starve the beast.”
If income to illegals is cut off, they will depart Cobb for other areas or even better, return to their home countries. That will greatly improve conditions in Cobb County. Pressure on services and taxpayer costs will decrease as demands on health care services (primarily treatment for the uninsured,) education, law enforcement and courts and an untold multitude of welfare/poverty benefits (primarily “Anchor Baby” privileges, Medicaid, Food Stamps, WIC, free school lunches) will decline.
I ask that Lee, Goreham and Cupid reconsider their positions in IMAGE.
Bob Andrews
Smyrna
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We already have strict federal and state laws requiring every employer to examine and verify the eligibility of all hires. Cobb County has carried those laws forward into all of its contracts, requiring all bidders to submit an affidavit swearing their compliance with the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act. One must wonder which contractors would be fool enough to violate the federal laws, state laws and their sworn affidavit with the county to risk employment of illegals.
IMAGE is a voluntary federal program which prescribes a set of practices for employers to follow to improve their ability to screen for fraudulent documentation presented by illegals. The program includes training and self-auditing processes which, if followed, should relieve the federal government of some of their auditing responsibilities. IMAGE is a good program and, hopefully, will be adopted by most employers.
However, the county’s proposed ordinance to mandate an employer’s participation in a voluntary federal program could only be viewed as arrogant, bureaucratic and intrusive. The existing laws and regulations are more than sufficient enforcements. The commissioners voted as they should have and should not reconsider.
We just had an illegal alien ID theft ring busted in Smyrna, in which the ICE spokesperson stated these guys were part of a much larger organization.
How large?
According to Western Union , 21.2 BILLION in remittances to Mexico in 2009, and 69.2 BILLION in remittances to all of Latin America in 2009.
Our local leaders are facilitating illegal activity!