"Georgia Immigration" - (Google) News Sweep - 3/24/'06 4 PM

3/24/'06 - The following article(s) were found in the media. Several stories are provided ... with links to the original sources ... for your convenience:

NOTE: An Associated Press story including mention of "Georgia" actions was picked up widely throughout the US appearing in a large number of publications (100+). The story focussed on "Immigration" and was distributed via AP syndication. Too numerous to list here, a random sample of these stories contained the following text:

Thousands in Phoenix at Immigration Rally Associated Press

"...
In Georgia, activists said tens of thousands of workers didn't show up at their jobs Friday after calls for a work stoppage to protest a bill passed by the Georgia House on Thursday.

That bill, which has yet to gain Senate approval, would deny state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals.

Supporters say the Georgia measure is vital to homeland security and frees up limited state services for people legally entitled to them.

Opponents say it unfairly targets workers who are merely responding to the demands of some of the state's largest industries.

"We oppose legislation that marginalizes the population," said Josh Hopkins, spokesman for the Latin American Association in Atlanta. He said his office has been inundated with calls about the bill.

Teodoro Maus, one of the organizers of the Georgia protest, estimated as many as 80,000 Hispanics did not show up for work Friday.

About 200 converged on the steps of the Georgia Capitol, some wrapped in Mexican flags and holding signs reading: "Don't panic, we're Hispanic" and "We have a dream, too.

... "

· Thousands Rally For Immigrants' Rights (CBS/AP)

• Thousands in Phoenix at immigration rally (Columbus Ledge-Enquirer)

· Huge crowds march against immigration bill (CNN)

• Immigrant work stoppage aimed at Georgia legislation (Access North GA)

· Students, Hispanics Protest Bill (WXIA)

· Hispanics protest legislation at Capitol (AJC)

· House passes immigration bill as activists plan work stoppage (The Courier Herald)

• Irvin: No reports of work stoppage on farms (Access North GA)

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/24/politics/main1438089.shtml
Thousands Rally For Immigrants' Rights

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2006

---

Los Angeles high school students walked out of their classrooms and marched to protest what they consider anti-immigration legislation coming before Congress next week. (CBS) Quote "We've scheduled two weeks of debate. We need all two weeks." Amy Call, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist

(CBS/AP) Thousands of immigrant rights supporters marched through the city Friday morning, protesting immigration reform efforts in Congress that many say unfairly target undocumented workers.

The turnout clogged a main thoroughfare in the city as protesters marched to the office of U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, calling for humane reform of immigration laws.

Many of the protesters said they were most incensed by one immigration reform proposal approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in December that would make it make it a felony to be in the country illegally.

Kyl, a Republican, is sponsoring a bill along with Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas

The protests come as President Bush has urged lawmakers to approach the contentious immigration issue in a way that avoids pitting groups against each other.

The Senate is scheduled to take up the immigration issue next week. State and federal lawmakers have come under pressure by voters to find a way to deal with an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country.

Some states have taken steps to try to limit or cut state services to such immigrants.

Lawmakers have also been considering bills that would impose new penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Another proposal is to erect fences along one-third of the U.S.-Mexican border.

The proposals have angered many in the Hispanic community.

On Thursday, more than 10,000 people filled the streets of Milwaukee in what was billed as "A Day Without Latinos" to protest efforts in Congress to target undocumented workers.

Hundreds of Los Angeles students walked out Friday morning to call attention to immigration issues.

In Georgia, activists said tens of thousands of workers did not show up at their jobs on Friday after calls for a work stoppage to protest a bill passed by the Georgia House on Thursday. That bill, which has yet to gain Senate approval, would deny state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals.

Teodoro Maus, one of the organizers of the Georgia protest, estimated as many as 80,000 Hispanics did not show up for work Friday.

About 200 people converged on the steps of the Georgia Capitol, some wrapped in Mexican flags and holding signs reading: "Don't panic, we're Hispanic" and "We have a dream, too."

A turbulent debate is expected in Congress next week — and the president and the leader of his party are starting out with different ideas about the best way to address the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country.

Mr. Bush wants Congress to create a program to allow foreigners to gain legal status in the United States for a set amount of time to do specific jobs. When the time is up, they would be required to return home without an automatic path to citizenship.

Mr. Bush said Thursday that his message is: "If you are doing a job that Americans won't do, you're welcome here for a period of time to do that job."

Immigration is a divisive issue for the country, and Republicans in particular. It splits two main GOP constituent groups — businesses and social conservatives.

The president is working hand-in-hand with employers who want cheap labor to clean hotel rooms, pick crops and do other tasks that they say keep their businesses competitive. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., says he understands those economic issues, but his focus is on the main concern voiced by the social conservatives — national security.

"The most important thing is that we keep our borders safe, we keep America safe," said Frist spokeswoman Amy Call. "It's obvious there are drugs, there are criminals coming through those borders. There are also people from known terrorist organizations coming through those borders."

The public appears to be more on the side of tougher border control. Three-quarters of respondents to a Time magazine poll in January said the United States is not doing enough to keep illegal immigrants from entering the country. Roughly the same amount said they favor a guest worker program for illegal immigrants, but 46 percent said those workers should have to return first to their native countries and apply. About 50 percent favored deporting all illegal immigrants.

Frist's bill sidesteps the question of temporary work permits and would tighten borders, add Border Patrol agents and punish employers who hire illegal immigrants. He has left open the possibility of replacing his legislation with a measure being drafted by the Senate Judiciary Committee that includes a guest worker program.

"We've scheduled two weeks of debate," his spokeswoman said, underscoring th that would give illegal immigrants up to five years to leave the country. They would then be able to apply from their home country to return, either as temporary workers or for permanent residency.e divisiveness of the issue. "We need all two weeks."

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., backed by labor unions, has said he will do all he can, including filibuster, to thwart Frist's legislation. So has Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., who said legislation seeking to criminalize undocumented immigrants is not in line with Republicans' stated support for faith and values and "would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."

The president's spokesman would not say whether Mr. Bush was referring to such comments or the filibuster threat when he called for a "serious debate" that respects people of all backgrounds.









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http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/14179281.htm
Posted on Fri, Mar. 24, 2006
Thousands in Phoenix at immigration rally

Associated Press

PHOENIX - Thousands of immigrant rights supporters filled a major Phoenix thoroughfare Friday morning as they marched toward the office of U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl in a rally call for a more humane reform of immigration laws.

"They're here for the American Dream," said Malissa Greer, 29, who joined the crowd estimate by police to be at least 10,000 strong. "God created all of us. He's not a God of the United States, he's a God of the world."

Lawmakers have been considering bills that, among other things, would make it a felony to be illegally in the United States, impose new penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants and erect fences along one-third of the U.S.-Mexican border.

The proposals have angered many in the Hispanic community.

On Thursday, more than 10,000 people filled the streets of Milwaukee in what was billed as "A Day Without Latinos" to protest efforts in Congress to target undocumented workers.

Hundreds of Los Angeles students walked out of their schools Friday morning to call attention to immigration issues.

In Georgia, activists said tens of thousands of workers didn't show up at their jobs Friday after calls for a work stoppage to protest a bill passed by the Georgia House on Thursday. That bill, which has yet to gain Senate approval, would deny state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals.

Supporters say the Georgia measure is vital to homeland security and frees up limited state services for people legally entitled to them.

Opponents say it unfairly targets workers who are merely responding to the demands of some of the state's largest industries.

"We oppose legislation that marginalizes the population," said Josh Hopkins, spokesman for the Latin American Association in Atlanta. He said his office has been inundated with calls about the bill.

Teodoro Maus, one of the organizers of the Georgia protest, estimated as many as 80,000 Hispanics did not show up for work Friday.

About 200 converged on the steps of the Georgia Capitol, some wrapped in Mexican flags and holding signs reading: "Don't panic, we're Hispanic" and "We have a dream, too."

Jennifer Garcia worried what would the proposal would do to her family. She said her husband is an illegal Mexican immigrant.

"If they send him back to Mexico, who's going to take care of them and me?" Garcia said of herself and her four children. "This is the United States. We need to come together and be a whole."

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http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/24/immigration.protest.ap/
Huge crowds march against immigration bill
Protests held in Arizona, California, Georgia and Wisconsin

Friday, March 24, 2006; Posted: 3:03 p.m. EST (20:03 GMT)

TV coverage showed the Phoenix march stretching for several blocks.

PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Thousands of immigrant rights supporters filled a major Phoenix thoroughfare Friday morning as they marched toward the office of U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl in a rally call for a more humane reform of immigration laws.

"They're here for the American Dream," said Malissa Greer, 29, who joined the crowd estimate by police to be at least 10,000 strong. "God created all of us. He's not a God of the United States, he's a God of the world."

Lawmakers have been considering bills that, among other things, would make it a felony to be illegally in the United States, impose new penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants and erect fences along one-third of the U.S.-Mexican border.

The proposals have angered many in the Hispanic community.

On Thursday, more than 10,000 people filled the streets of Milwaukee in what was billed as "A Day Without Latinos" to protest efforts in Congress to target undocumented workers.

Hundreds of Los Angeles students walked out of their schools Friday morning to call attention to immigration issues.

In Georgia, activists said tens of thousands of workers didn't show up at their jobs Friday after calls for a work stoppage to protest a bill passed by the Georgia House on Thursday. That bill, which has yet to gain Senate approval, would deny state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals.

Supporters say the Georgia measure is vital to homeland security and frees up limited state services for people legally entitled to them.

Opponents say it unfairly targets workers who are merely responding to the demands of some of the state's largest industries.

"We oppose legislation that marginalizes the population," said Josh Hopkins, spokesman for the Latin American Association in Atlanta. He said his office has been inundated with calls about the bill.

Teodoro Maus, one of the organizers of the Georgia protest, estimated as many as 80,000 Hispanics did not show up for work Friday.

About 200 converged on the steps of the Georgia Capitol, some wrapped in Mexican flags and holding signs reading: "Don't panic, we're Hispanic" and "We have a dream, too."

Jennifer Garcia worried what would the proposal would do to her family. She said her husband is an illegal Mexican immigrant.

"If they send him back to Mexico, who's going to take care of them and me?" Garcia said of herself and her four children.

"This is the United States. We need to come together and be a whole."

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http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=73108
Immigrant work stoppage aimed at Georgia legislation

The Associated Press - ATLANTA

Jose Castro said there was something different about Buford Highway, well known for its many Hispanic and other ethnic businesses, as he stood at the bus stop Friday.

Missing was the familiar hustle and bustle that the Mexican immigrant is used to seeing.

"Everybody's no work. No many working. Everybody no go shopping," Castro, 26, said in halting English. "Everything is low."

Immigrant communities encouraged a one-day work stoppage to protest a bill passed by the Georgia House Thursday that allows sweeping changes to the state's policies on immigrants. Teodoro Maus, one of the stoppage's organizers, estimated that as many as 80,000 Hispanics did not show up for work Friday.

The bill, which must get Senate approval before going to Gov. Sonny Perdue, would deny state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals.

Supporters say the plan is a vital homeland security measure that frees up limited state services for Georgia residents who are legally entitled to them. Opponents say it unfairly targets workers who are merely responding to the demands of some of the state's largest industries.

At the Latin American Association in Atlanta, spokesman Josh Hopkins said his office has been inundated with calls from Hispanic residents confused by the bill. The center will host a forum Sunday with legal experts who can tell the community more about the plan.

"We oppose legislation that marginalizes the population," Hopkins said.

About 200 people demonstrated on the Georgia Capitol's steps Friday afternoon, wrapped in Mexican flags and holding signs saying "Don't panic, we're Hispanic" and "We have a dream, too," in reference to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous civil rights speech.

State Rep. Pedro Marin, D-Gwinnett, and state Sen. Sam Zamarripa, D-Atlanta, spoke in Spanish and English to address rumors in the Hispanic community that the bill would deny education to children and lead to deportation.

"Don't panic, Go back to school," Zamarripa said. "Make sure you know women can go to hospitals. Make sure you know children can go to schools."

Rally participants included concerned spouses Jennifer Garcia and Brenda Valdez, who both said they are married to illegal Mexican immigrants and are concerned about what the proposal would do to their families.

"If they send him back to Mexico, who's going to take care of them and me?" Garcia said of herself and her four children. "This is the United States. We need to come together and be a whole."

The work stoppage was not observed by everyone.

At Plaza Fiesta, Buford Highway's largest mall filled with Hispanic businesses, many of the stores appeared to be open for business Friday.

Back at the bus stop, Castro said he still was planning to go to work at a Mexican restaurant where he is a cook. But he's not sure if he'll end up working, because his boss previously said the restaurant might close because of the work stoppage.

Castro said he doesn't understand how the bill will benefit Georgians, because Hispanics eat a restaurants and buy goods and services.

"I think it's no good for Latin, no good for America," he said. "I come for work. Everybody is coming here for work. Not for problems."

Tommy Irvin, Georgia's agricultural commissioner, said he had had no reports of immigrant work stoppages on farms throughout Georgia. He also noted that few crops are being harvested this time of year.

"The first major crop will be next month, Vidalia onion," he said. "Behind that will be peaches and other vegetable crops."

Irvin said Congress needs to resolve immigrant worker issues so that farmers can count on having a legal, reliable workforce. With the growing concern about illegal immigrants and the belief that many farmworkers have gone to the Gulf of Mexico for higher-paying jobs clearing the wreckage of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, many Georgia farmers are concerned about a possible worker shortage this year.

"We won't really know until the time comes," Irvin said.

Shelton Singletary of Gainous Agricultural Services, a farm labor contractor in Cairo, said he was unaware of any work stoppages, and Tina Sanchez, a Hispanic advocate in Moultrie, said she didn't think many of the immigrant workers in rural Georgia were taking part in the stoppage.

"I don't think people found out about it," she said. "It's more about communications _ television, radio, newspapers. We just don't have that communication in south Georgia."

____

AP writer Greg Bluestein contributed to this article.

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Students, Hispanics Protest Bill

Reported By: Jaye Watson

Web Editor: Tracey Christensen

Last Modified: 3/24/2006 1:48:54 PM

Members of Metro Atlanta's Hispanic community took part in an economic boycott Friday in protest of a House bill that makes sweeping changes to the state's immigration policies.

While Hispanics refused to shop and stayed home from work, some DeKalb County students made their own protest before classes started at Cross Keys High School. About 80 students gathered around the flag pole and chanted "It's not right, 529." Several other protests were held, including one that drew more than 100 demonstrators to the steps of the state Capitol.

The bill, which must get Senate approval before going to Gov. Sonny Perdue, would deny taxpayer-funded benefits to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegal immigrants. It also attempts to ensure companies with public contracts hire only workers who are in the country legally and penalize any company that hires illegal immigrants. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Chip Rogers of Woodstock.

Members of the March 17th Alliance said members of the Hispanic community work hard in Georgia. Members of the one-week-old group said they will use their economic power to make sure Georgia legislators hear their concerns about the bill, which passed the House on Thursday by a 123-to-51 vote.

Georgia agricultural commissioner Tommy Irvin said he received no reports of immigrant work stoppages on farms throughout the state. He also noted that few crops are being harvested this time of year.

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http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/georgia/entries/2006/03/24/hispanics_prote.html
Hispanics protest legislation at Capitol

By Jim Tharpe | Friday, March 24, 2006, 12:38 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

More than 100 Hispanic high school students waved Mexican flags and shouted "Justice" outside the state Capitol today to protest the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act, which passed the House or Representatives on Thursday.

"Everybody should have the same rights," said Griffin High School student Zoila Ochoa who skipped school for the protest. "We just want justice."

Many of the protesters waved Mexican flags and some sounded loud air horns. The crowd cheered loudly as several cars dove by, their passengers waving Mexican flags out the open windows.

Luis Rogue, an 18-year-old who attends Druid Hills High School, said he came with a group of students from Cross Keys High School

"I think the Hispanic population is a big part of the workforce," Rogue said. "I think this bill discriminates against people who work hard."

Rogue said his family members are legal residents and have been in the country 13 years. His dad works construction, he said, and his mother works in a restaurant.

The students were protesting Senate Bill 529, which is aimed a illegal immigrants and their employers.

Authored by state Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) the bill has passed the state Senate and House, but the chambers passed different versions and a final bill could be fashioned by a conference committee before the Legislature adjourns.

Rogers' bill attempts to prohibit adult illegal immigrants from getting taxpayer-funded benefits to which they are not entitled. It also attempts to ensure that companies with public contracts hire only workers in the country legally, and it would financially penalize private employers who hire illegal immigrants. The bill also would establish tough penalties for human trafficking.

House members added a provision in committee that would require illegal immigrants to pay a 5 percent surcharge on money they wire out of the country. That has upset some senators who might try to remove that section.

There are an estimated 250,000 to 800,000 illegal immigrants in Georgia — though no one has a precise number. Proponents of a crackdown say illegal immigrants burden schools, prisons and the health care system without footing an equal part of the tax burden. Opponents of Rogers' proposal say immigrants are here seeking a better life, do pay taxes and take only the jobs Americans refuse.

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http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=909&NewsID=706290&CategoryID=13280&on=0

House passes immigration bill as activists plan work stoppage

03/24/06 ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia House on Thursday approved sweeping changes to the state's immigration policy that would deny some state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals. Immigrant communities responded by encouraging a work stoppage Friday in protest while frazzled lawmakers from both sides of the debate called for calm. It was the latest twist for what is perhaps one of the most contentious — and ambitious — measures taken up by the Legislature this session. Supporters say the plan, which passed by a 123-51 vote, is a vital homeland security measure that frees up limited state resources for Georgia residents who are legally entitled to them. Opponents say it unfairly targets workers who are merely responding to the demands of some of the state's largest industries. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, also sanctions companies that knowingly employ undocumented workers and imposes stiff penalties on human trafficking. This week, House lawmakers also tacked on the surcharge proposal and added a worker verification program, which would be administered by the state Department of Labor. The changes must first be approved by the Senate before going to Gov. Sonny Perdue. The measure drew fiery responses from critics and supporters of the proposal. ''The people of this country want our borders secure,'' said state Rep. Dan Lakly, R-Peachtree City. ''The people of this country do not want to be overrun and overtaken by illegal immigrants.'' Opponents sought to portray immigration as a federal issue, not a state decision.

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http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/newfullstory.asp?ID=102276
Posted Friday, March 24 at 12:14 PM

Irvin: No reports of work stoppage on farms
by The Associated Press

ATLANTA - Georgia's agricultural commissioner -- Tommy Irvin -- says he has had no reports of immigrant work stoppages on farms throughout the state.

He also notes that few crops are being harvested this time of year.

He says the first major crop will be next month when Vidalion onions are harvested. After that will come peaches and vegetable crops.

Irvin says Congress needs to resolve immigrant worker issues so farmers can count on having a legal, reliable work force. Many Georgia farmers are concerned about a possible worker shortage this year because of the growing concern about illegal immigrants. Farmers also believe that many migrant workers have gone to the Gulf of Mexico for higher-paying jobs clearing the wreckage of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Shelton Singletary of Gainous Agricultural Services, a farm labor contractor in Cairo, said he was unaware of any work stoppages, and Tina Sanchez, a Hispanic advocate in Moultrie, said she didn't think many of the immigrant workers in rural Georgia were taking part in the stoppage.

``I don't think people found out about it,'' she said. ``It's more about communications television, radio, newspapers. We just don't have that communication in south Georgia.''

There's no word, so far, on the impact on poultry plants in the Gainesville area. A representative of one said they were not talking about the situation.

As for retail outlets in Gainesville, the parking lot at the Gainesvile Wal-Mart was full at noon Friday. That store is a favorite of Latinos in the area.

It was a different scenario in one part of metro Atlanta, though.

Jose Castro said there was something different about Buford Highway, well known for its many Hispanic and other ethnic businesses on the north side of Atlanta, as he stood at the bus stop Friday.

Missing was the familiar hustle and bustle that the Mexican immigrant is used to seeing.

``Everybody's no work. No many working. Everybody no go shopping,'' Castro, 26, said in halting English. ``Everything is low.''

Immigrant communities encouraged a work stoppage to protest a bill passed by the Georgia House Thursday that allows sweeping changes to the state's policies on immigrants.

The bill, which must get Senate approval before going to Gov. Sonny Perdue, would deny state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals.

Supporters say the plan is a vital homeland security measure that frees up limited state services for Georgia residents who are legally entitled to them. Opponents say it unfairly targets workers who are merely responding to the demands of some of the state's largest industries.

At the Latin American Association in Atlanta, spokesman Josh Hopkins said his office has been inundated with calls from Hispanic residents confused by the bill. The center will host a forum Sunday with legal experts who can tell the community more about the plan.

``We oppose legislation that marginalizes the population,'' Hopkins said.

The work stoppage was not observed by everyone.

At Plaza Fiesta, Buford Highway's largest mall filled with Hispanic businesses, many of the stores appeared to be open for business Friday.

Back at the bus stop, Castro said he still was planning to go to work at a Mexican restaurant where he is a cook. But he's not sure if he'll end up working, because his boss previously said the restaurant might close because of the work stoppage.

Castro said he doesn't understand how the bill will benefit Georgians, because Hispanics eat a restaurants and buy goods and services.

``I think it's no good for Latins, no good for America,'' he said. ``I come for work. Everybody is coming here for work. Not for problems.''