While President Bush stumps the country with his proclamation that “Massive deportation of the people [illegal immigrants] here is unrealistic,” and Sen. Teddy Kennedy (D.-Mass.) pushes for an unworkable three-year visa for guest workers that also calls for a $2,000 fine if they decide to seek residency, its refreshing to find a state politician who¹s decided to do the job that the federal government seems unable to do.
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (R.) signed a sweeping immigration bill on April 17 that gives the state the kind of power to control the problem of illegal immigrants while Washington politicians continue to pander to special-interest groups and the cameras.
Perdue is on a bit of a roll with his recent signing of a bill permitting the display of the Ten Commandments at courthouses and another bill that will offer government-sanctioned elective classes on the Bible. The approval of the U.S. Justice Department on April 21 to a new Georgia law that will require voters to show a photo ID at the polls, adds a strong argument against critics who often claim that local politicians have little control over national issues.
The immigration bill, which will go into effect in 2007, is aimed at the estimated 250,000 to 800,000 illegals who are now benefiting from social service programs paid for by Georgia taxpayers. "...I don't think you ought to walk into this country one day and the first stop you make is the welfare office," says Perdue.
