Immigration Politics Georgia

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D.A. King

Request for citation of line numbers as source of news report on HB 1105 sent to the Associated Press today

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Update: Our effort to see a correction to the below linked AP story resulted in a correction the day after we contacted them.

The below email was sent to the AP Atlanta desk this morning

Georgia House passes bill requiring police to help arrest immigrants after student’s killing

ByJEFF AMY Associated Press
February 29, 2024, 6:08 PM
Jeff Amy, AP reporter.
 

AP,

Your reporter Jeff Amy has reported (here) that “Georgia House Republicans are backing a bill that would require every eligible police and sheriff’s department to help identify undocumented immigrants, arrest them and detain them for deportation.”
 
Amy has not replied to requests from here posted on X/Twitter to cite the line numbers in the current version of HB 1105 (as passed the House LC 47 2985S) the reflect language that does what you are reporting. This should be an easy task.
 
So we repeat the request: Please cite the line numbers in HB 1105 that “requiring police to help arrest immigrants after student’s killing” or that would require every eligible police and sheriff’s department to help identify undocumented immigrants, arrest them and detain them for deportation.”
Nobody answers the AP Atlanta desk (404-522-8971) phone when we call to make this request and nobody from the “AP Newsroom” has replied to this same request sent yesterday, March 4. 
 
We aren’t saying this isn’t a terrific and lifesaving idea, but surely you can cite the line numbers in the bill on which you are basing your news report , right?
 
If Kate Brumback is still there, we advise you ask her to help you – she was once quite adept at reading and understanding and reporting on legislation in GA. 
 
Thanks for a timely reply.
 
D.A. King
Marietta.
404
@DAKDIS

Criminal aliens in Georgia: Dalton Republican Kasey Carpenter voted with the Democrats against HB 1105

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A pro-enforcement bill, HB 1105, the “Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024” creates criminal penalties for Georgia jailers who ignore 2006 state law that requires them to use reasonable  effort to determine immigration status of foreign prisoners in their jails and to report the illegals to federal immigration authorities.

You may remember Carpenter’s name from his five-year quest to grant instate tuition privileges to illegal aliens with Obama’s DACA reward. See HB 131 for the latest effort.

Republican Rep Kasey Carpenter.

Here is contact info for Georgia state Representative Kasey Carpenter.

Media Release from Jerry Gonzalez at corporate-funded GALEO on Laken Riley’s murder and immigration amnesty

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The below press release went out from GALEO CEO Jerry Gonzalez today. We think it is “divisive rhetoric” from the former Democrat fundraiser and MALDEF staffer who has been a notorious an anti-enforcement lobbyist for two decades.

 

(Norcross, GA) – Last week, we were all hit with the tragic news of the brutal murder of Laken Riley. By all accounts, Laken Riley was a deeply kind, intelligent, and hard-working young woman with a bright future ahead of her. That her life was cut short by a senseless act of violence is indefensible and all the more devastating.

 

In the last few days, Laken’s murder has been warped to fit the political agendas of right-wing opportunists. This should be a time for mourning the death of Laken Riley and coming together to address the very real issue of violence against women. Once the identity of the individual perpetrator was revealed, MAGA extremists and politicians chose to shift the blame away from the culprit himself and onto the entire immigrant community. This shift in narrative is dangerous and it does not even try to address the risks women face in lone runs– a particularly salient issue as 92% of women surveyed in 2023 said they had safety concerns during outdoor runs.

 

We have all seen how unfactual anti-immigrant rhetoric leads to violence and hate crimes. El Paso, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh are all examples of instances where white nationalists were emboldened by heightened rhetoric against vulnerable communities. And, while the immigrant community has a target on their backs, women’s voices are being silenced and gaslit as they advocate against rampant violence they continue to experience. When our elected leaders should be finding ways to support and empower women, far too many have chosen to spin a local tragedy to justify targeting immigrants for political purposes.

 

No matter where one falls on the political spectrum, everyone agrees that our immigration system is broken. However, our country’s long-standing commitment to providing asylum and an opportunity for a better life is not the problem. Rather, MAGA extremists’ adamant refusal to participate in bipartisan cooperation continues to stand in the way of meaningful progress on this vital issue of national security.

 

The recent failure of bipartisan legislation that would have tied aid to Ukraine and Israel to border security and immigration reform shows how politicians on the extreme right continue to prioritize political convenience over their policymaking responsibilities. This bill, which included historic compromises and concessions that traditional conservatives had long sought, signified the most meaningful attempt at immigration reform in recent memory; unfortunately, at the urging of former President Trump, congressional Republicans tanked the bill in a desperate attempt to boost their chances in the upcoming elections. Time and time again, leaders on the far-right have shown that they would rather employ extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric than actually work to fix the problems at our southern border.

 

Now, that anti-immigrant rhetoric is being used by self-serving politicians in our own state to further a white nationalist agenda that seeks to harm Latino and immigrant communities while ignoring the actual needs of working Georgians. Additionally, federal courts have repeatedly ruled that immigration is the responsibility of the federal government; this notion was again reaffirmed when a U.S Court of Appeals struck Georgia’s HB 87, also known as the “Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act,” over a decade ago. This law, which mirrored Arizona’s “show me your papers” law, prohibited the transportation and harboring of “illegal immigrants” and authorized police to “check the immigration status of suspects who cannot provide identification.”

 

Despite Republicans’ continuous attempts at targeting the immigrant community, the court’s 2013 decision reinforced that states’ attempts to regulate subjects that are regulated by federal law will be struck down. Yet, right-wing politicians continue to waste time and taxpayer dollars pushing anti-immigrant rhetoric and legislation that are useless in actually addressing issues of safety and security. They target immigrants in Georgia, instead of helping working Georgians with their basic necessities.

 

As one of the leading immigrant rights organizations in the State of Georgia, GALEO has repeatedly called for comprehensive immigration reform that rises to the challenges we face as a nation. Since our founding in 2003 we have stood firm against misdirected hate against immigrants and instead pushed for meaningful changes to the immigration system we all agree needs to be fixed. We need reforms that meet our country’s needs for national security and public safety while preserving human rights and keeping families together. Maintaining and exacerbating the existing status quo forces our immigrant community into the shadows. The result of this reality not only means that it is harder for victimized immigrants to effectively seek justice, but also more difficult for law enforcement to track down individual bad actors. Standard issuing of work permits, driver’s licenses, and other verifiable documents to immigrants residing in our communities ensures both community safety and robust national security.

 

We must have reforms that deal with the hardworking immigrants who are already here, but because there is no line to get into, they are stuck in limbo without a way to get right with the law. Georgia’s Latino and immigrant communities are driving forces for our state’s economy and industries like poultry, agriculture, and the service industries would collapse without their labor. We must have reforms that are forward looking as well and a visa system that reflects our growing economic needs as a nation. The misguided legislation being proposed at the Capitol right now does not improve safety for women and it further wedges law enforcement away from immigrants who fear ICE retaliation for reporting a crime.

 

The current slate of proposals being considered at the state legislature– many of which employ vague language that would create unfunded mandates and unenforceable processes for local municipalities– would violate constitutional freedoms, ignore the needs of local communities, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Latinos and immigrants.

 

As politicians today work to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment by taking advantage of a family and community’s tragedy, they are also inciting white nationalist rhetoric that may lead to violence against our communities in Georgia. They are pouring fire on a persistent white nationalist flame that has been set ablaze over many years of this type of rhetoric. In this time of grief and politicization, let us honor Laken Riley’s memory by rejecting divisive rhetoric and instead coming together to address the real issues at hand: the safety of women and the need for meaningful reform that strengthens our communities without dividing us.

 

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Pro-enforcement activists in GOP GA need help for passage of anti-sanctuary legislation #HB1105

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Much of GOP Georgia is a sanctuary state – Brian Kemp, Chief Executive

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 404-656-1776

Pro-enforcement eyes around the nation should watch Republican-ruled Georgia to see if the House passes HB 1105, the ‘Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act” before the crossover deadline on Feb. 29. Two state laws barring sanctuary policies have been in place since the 2000’s but have no penalties and are widely ignored by nearly half of the 159 county sheriffs. The pending bill would put a compliance verification system and criminal penalties for violations into the laws.

Brian Kemp TV campaign ad, 2018.

The measure is stuck in the House Public Safety committee. Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp campaigned on ending “sanctuary cities” but has remained silent on the bill while the corporate-funded, anti-enforcement lobby opposes passage and the GA. Sheriff’s Association is openly working to gut the legislation. Dustin Inman Society activist D.A. King is leading the fight for passage. He says he needs help with public awareness and contact to Gov Kemp urging him to stand up for passage. King has recent poll numbers on his side. DHS estimates show that only six states host more illegal aliens than Georgia. GA media is as silent on the entire matter as Gov. Brian Kemp.

How to help:  Twitter / X: @BrianKempGA (Capitol office 404-656-1776)   @GaHouseGOP / @GASenateGOP @DAKDIS

 

Martha Zoller on “the border” and doing the right thing in Georgia

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Georgia Gang TV talk show Fox 5, Atlanta – Feb 18, 2024

Georgia Gang moderator,Lori Geary:

“Gov. Kemp announced this week. He would send more Georgia National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border and Texas. Kemp held a press conference Tuesday afternoon as Republicans in both the House and the Senate pushed through resolutions condemning President Joe Biden’s border policy and saying they back any effort by Governor Kemp to allocate resources for the protection of the southern border. Martha.

Republican radio show host Martha Zoller says illegal immigration has increased so much that Brian Kemp “had to change his tactics” and abandon his campaign promises on “criminal illegals” and ending sanctuary cities.

Martha Zoller :

You know, I’m gonna say something good on both sides here, okay? I think that we did the right thing in Georgia, sending more resources down is good and we’re seeing in Texas a dramatic reduction because of the things they’re doing on the border. But on the Biden side, they did a couple of discussions with the Mexican government, which the Mexican government has stepped up their game and they are deporting people before they get across the border and this past month is gonna show a reduction in people crossing the border. So people are starting to listen on this issue on Democrat and Republican side, and, um, hopefully they will continue to do that.”

Sanctuary Georgia: Kemp on illegal immigration at home

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Screenshot, Brian Kemp 2018 TV campaign ad.

 

Shortly after taking office in 2021, Democrat Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens invited a mariachi band to celebrate his announcement to end the lifesaving 287(g) agreement with federal immigration authorities – and then he danced. The invited crowd of newly empowered, anti-enforcement activists funded by corporate Georgia went wild with gratitude.

At his swearing-in event in Gwinnett County, Keybo Taylor, the newly elected Democrat sheriff, stood before a large audience – including media – and boasted that he too had ended the jail’s 287 (g) agreement with ICE. He went further by announcing “what we will not be doing is notifying ICE of anybody’s immigration status in the jail or any of our facilities.” To make his professional position on the inherent dangers of “criminal illegals” set free on our streets crystal clear, Taylor added “we will not keep anyone in jail under an ICE detainer.”

Newly elected sheriff Keybo Taylor speaks at a press conference at the Gwinnett County Jail on January 1, 2021. STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. (AJC)

As Rep Jesse Petrea pointed out in his recent column announcing his pro-enforcement bill HB 1105 (“The Criminal Alien Track and Report Act”) the definition of “sanctuary” policies in state law OCGA 36-80-23. “…means any regulation, rule, policy, or practice adopted by a local governing body which prohibits or restricts local officials or employees from communicating or cooperating with federal officials or law enforcement officers with regard to reporting immigration status information while such local official or employee is acting within the scope of his or her official duties.”

Many thanks from here to Rep. Petrea for his tenacity and courage in filing his legislation. While illegal immigration is fittingly the number-one issue in the nation, the same is not true in Georgia’s “Number One for Business” politics. Broaching the issue with a Peach State focus under the Gold Dome does not result in long or welcomed conversations. Petrea is a genuine leader.

That Gwinnett Sheriff Keybo Taylor is in violation of state law he is sworn to enforce by declaring an illegal sanctuary policy is not in question for reasonable observers. But he is not alone among Georgia jailers in flouting the law designed to protect Georgians from the criminal illegals who are murdering, raping and molesting innocent Georgians – including our children.

This writer has spent considerable time over the last several years talking to law enforcement officials and collecting responses to open records requests that show many Georgia jailers do not obey the laws against sanctuary. Complaints filed with various officials and agencies in an effort to force compliance – or at least coverage in “the news” – went nowhere.

Taylor and the many other jailers who are ignoring Georgia’s two laws against sanctuary policies have escaped the media attention that naive and trusting voters would expect for sheriffs in open and public defiance of existing state law. The reason for the news suppression is not a mystery. Most of the media is not on the side of immigration enforcement. But imagine the howling headlines if a state agency were in violation of any law that benefits illegal aliens.

It is sadly accurate to say that much of Georgia is a sanctuary state.

This brings us to Gov. Brian Kemp. As noted by the liberal AJC at the time, Kemp’s first TV ad in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary cited Americans who had been killed by illegal aliens and portrayed him as “tough on illegal immigration.” The widespread belief then was that he meant tough on illegal immigration in Georgia.

“As governor, conservative businessman Brian Kemp will create a comprehensive database to track criminal aliens in Georgia. He will also update Georgia law to streamline deportations from our jails and prisons” went the detailed promises Kemp made on his 2018 campaign website.

“Donald Trump was right. We must secure the border and end sanctuary cities” said candidate Kemp (video) in 2018. But Kemp has ignored illegal immigration in Georgia.

Sending National Guard to the border has not resulted in sheriffs like Keybo Taylor ending their illegal sanctuary policies. “Standing with” Texas Gov Abbott in an on-the-border Fox News camera shot will not help final passage of Rep. Petrea’s enforcement bill in Georgia.

If Kemp is ever going to finally speak up on enforcing Georgia’s laws on illegal immigration – especially laws prohibiting sanctuary policies – Petrea’s measure provides an ideal opportunity.

Section ll, Paragraph ll of the Georgia Constitution says: “The Governor shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed and shall be the conservator of the peace throughout the state.” If Brian Kemp continues to ignore illegal immigration and sanctuary jails in at home, we should ask exactly how he is better on the dangerous crisis in Georgia than Joe Biden is nationally.

  • A version of this essay was posted in the subscription news and opinion outlet James Magazine Online, Feb. 15, 2024.

Moderate Republican Martha Zoller spells out her latest requirements for another illegal alien amnesty

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The below is from the Martha Zoller radio show on WDUN radio, about 10:40-ish on Feb. 15, 2024 and starts just after it is clear that Martha is again about to hit her points on illegal alien eligibility for her proposed repeat of the Reagan amnesty of 1986.

Audio below here. Transcript by Rev.com

My cost $24.00 and about one hour of my time.

Martha Zoller:

It is exactly, exactly what you think. You got to stop the bleeding first, then you can fix everything else. Very simple.

Logan:

Just take it one step at a time.

Martha Zoller:

One, one step at a time. One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that’s for sure. Okay, so, and I’m with you about legal versus illegal. We immigrate. Y’all get tired of me saying this, but I’m gonna keep saying it until people start listening. We immigrate legally to this country more than the rest of the world combined. So, so a whole lot of other countries that have a lot fewer people immigrating every year and a lot of them wouldn’t want to, okay? We’re about the only country in the world that people wanna break into.

But 3 million, which is three times what the legal immigration rate is, is not sustainable in illegal immigrants every single year. And that’s what we know of, okay? Now, what I will say is there is a shut down the border, stop the flow, okay, of illegal immigrants. That’s one and two. Then three is legal immigration and DACA, okay? I would say three parts. Legal immigration, DACA, and people that have been here a long time, okay?

Moderate Republican radio host Martha Zoller

You have legal immigration that we need to fix and we need to make it merit-based. We then need to lower the number of green cards by about 400,000 and, and use that 400,000 to clear the backlog of visas that people have been waiting for green cards. Clear the backlog, get caught up, people shouldn’t have to wait 15 years if they come here legally to become, uh, permanent citizens, okay, or permanent residents, then you can apply for citizenship.

Two, is the DACA kids, all right. I do not think DACA kids are all the way up to 16 years old, okay? But if you came to this country with your parents and you were 2 to 10 years old, and Donald Trump even agreed with me on this, you should be able to stay with your parents and because you don’t know anything else. Your home is not Mexico or wherever it is that you came from. And even Donald Trump in April of 2017 said to Nancy Pelosi, not Nikki Haley, Nancy Pelosi, that he didn’t interpose them. He knew who he was talking to. He said to her, “I will give you the DACA kids and their parents, 2.2 million, if you will give me 5 billion for the wall.” Even Donald Trump thought that was a good deal, okay.

  • Related reading: Trump supporters burn their MAGA hats over president’s possible DREAMer deal

So I know there’s people out there, DA, you know who you are, that you say that’s me being amnesty. No, that’s me doing what Trump did, okay? And I don’t think he was for amnesty. Then there’s a third group of people, which you’re gonna laugh about, but there’s roughly a million and a half illegal immigrants that have gone to the trouble to get tax ID numbers from the IRS and they file taxes on time every year. Those people ought to be legalized, okay? If they go to the trouble, you wouldn’t do that if you didn’t think you were… you had some sort of legal claim.

Because you have a whole group of people, and granted, I know, you don’t wanna hear what, what Newt Gingrich said where sometimes you got to take it family by family. Okay, I know you don’t wanna hear that, but, but sometimes you’re gonna have to take it family by family. Because there are people that paid somebody 3 or 4 or $5,000 in their country, got documents, they thought they were coming here legally, they didn’t know they were coming here illegally, they didn’t find out until they got here. And then there’s no way to kind of fix that.

Dustin Inman Society rally against the 2007 Bush amnesty push in front of the White House – Martha Zoller, center.

I don’t know what the answer to that question is, except for the fact if you actually got a tax ID number and you’re paying taxes, you probably ought to get into some kind of line where you can get to legal status, where you can get to at least vi- a visa where you can stay. If you’re… If you’ve gone to the trouble to get a tax ID number and file taxes, okay? Maybe that’s crazy and maybe that makes me an amnesty… You know what? I- I- you know, I’m, I’m getting so close, Logan, to saying words that I shouldn’t say. But I’m so angry about this but I’m gonna catch myself. Don’t worry. Okay? You don’t have to worry.

But it’s like I’m so tired of people saying that if you’re willing to talk about solutions that you want amnesty and you just wanna be overrun. I think it’s two different things.

Logan:

No, I mean, that’s not a, a crazy idea at all. A- and like you said, sometimes you just kind of bite your tongue, sometimes, (laughs) [inaudible 00:04:52]-

Martha Zoller:

I do. Sometimes I bite right through it. I do.

Logan:

Yeah.

Martha Zoller:

Okay, so then we got another text message and it doesn’t have a name on it, but it said, “Trump’s saying that he intentionally interposed names is a lame attempt to cover his gaff. Haley is correct that the US can never align with Putin.” Never. We can ne-