Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2007 > May > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPearson: Send 12 million back, but a few at a time
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since last Wednesday, members of the Republican right has been rather forceful about what it doesn’t like about the immigration reform package now before the U.S. Senate.
But details about what it would take to make them happy have been rather scarce.
State Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) sent out a letter today, laying out what he wants. He’s trying to point Georgia’s congressional delegation to a tougher approach, one that would actually require illegal immigrants to step foot off U.S. soil before they’re granted job permits.
Pearson was the sponsor of S.R. 646, a resolution adopted by the state Senate this spring on illegal immigration. The measure was also the basis of the resolution adopted by the state Republican convention this weekend.
Pearson concedes that foreign workers are essential to the nation’s economy. For that reason, he would see them deported in shifts.
“Not all illegal immigrants shall be deported at the same time but instead groups of immigrants shall be deported in phases as determined by the agency having jurisdiction over such proceedings and in such a manner as will be just and which shall not adversely impact the nation’s economy,” he writes.
How to do that? Perhaps the military or by private contract, Pearson said.
If he can’t interest U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson in his ideas, Pearson said he hoped members of Georgia’s House delegation would take up his fight.
Click on the jump to see a complete copy of the letter he’s passing around.
May 21, 2007
Dear,
It is long past time for this country to adopt a comprehensive immigration and border security plan. Left unchecked or left to mere piecemeal responses, the illegal immigration crisis is likely to cause irreversible and devastating effects on this nation. Motivated by the grave concerns many members of the Georgia General Assembly have regarding the illegal immigration crisis, I send this letter in hope that you might give our proposed plan serious consideration. This letter sets forth a brief summary our idea for a comprehensive federal plan for combating illegal immigration.
The plan has been referred to as the Federal Immigrant Registration and Employment plan. The plan began with three primary components or guiding principles which we strongly believe any such plan should adhere to. First and foremost, the nation’s borders must be secured. Little may be accomplished until adequate resources are provided for the security of our borders. Increased efforts, including increased resources, personnel, and funding, are paramount to controlling the borders of the United States. Greater deterrents at the borders are the only means by which the tremendous influx of persons illegally entering this country may be lowered.
The second key component is the acknowledgment that legal immigration is essential to the nation’s economy. Legitimate needs of businesses and industries must be recognized, evaluated, and met. At the same time, employers who flagrantly break immigration laws or mistreat illegal foreign workers should not be rewarded.
Finally, amnesty provisions or expedited citizenship should be avoided as these only promote a culture of disrespect for U.S. immigration laws and the basic principles of this great nation. While a pledge to deny amnesty is important, it is equally important that any immigration plan treat people fairly and equitably. Some positive benefit may be warranted for those illegal aliens who are willing to come forward now in an effort to comply with legal immigration requirements.
In keeping with these three major components, the Federal Immigrant Registration and Employment Plan would include the following specific actions:
Increase personnel, funding, and equipment for the purpose of securing the borders of the United States of America.
Establish a date certain upon which anyone over 18 years of age currently residing in the United States illegally shall register as an illegal alien with designated federal authorities. The time allowed for illegal immigrants currently residing in this country to register shall be open for a period of time not to exceed 90 days.
The registration form shall require such information as is determined necessary by the designated federal agency or department but shall include information regarding the illegal alien’s current residence, years of residence, country of origin, and current employer, if any.
Following the period of time allowed for registration, the designated government agency shall commence deportation proceedings against illegal immigrants who properly registered. The deportation process shall require such persons to return to their country of origin; provided, however, if such illegal immigrant wishes to reside in the United States, they may apply for a work visa, work permit, or similar authorization for temporary lawful entry into the country for purposes of employment. If such applicant provides a written statement from an employer that such person is or will be employed with such employer and the services of the nonresident immigrant are needed for the operation of the employer’s business, then the applicant shall be given priority consideration for authorized re-entry into the country. Upon the submission of an approved application and employer statement, such person seeking lawful admission into this country shall be given first priority for any work visa, work permit, or similar authorization for temporary lawful entry into the United States. First priority shall mean that the applicant will be given priority status over any other similar application for admission. In addition, the priority ranking shall be based on the time of registration, with the person who first registered having priority over anyone who shall have registered later.
Deportation proceedings of registered illegal immigrants shall be implemented in a fair and equitable manner as prescribed by the appropriate federal agency, and such proceedings shall be conducted over an extended period of time, not to exceed two years. Not all illegal immigrants shall be deported at the same time but instead groups of immigrants shall be deported in phases as determined by the agency having jurisdiction over such proceedings and in such a manner as will be just and which shall not adversely impact the nation’s economy.
Where any registrant is granted a work visa, work permit, or similar authorization for temporary entry into the United States, the authorization shall be for a two-year period as long as the authorized immigrant remains employed. Such temporary authorized entry shall be automatically extended for an additional two years where the registrant submits an updated application accompanied by a letter from his or her employer certifying that his or her services continue to be needed for the successful operation of the employer’s business. If at any time during the four years that admission is authorized under this specially authorized work visa the registered immigrant becomes unemployed for more than 60 days, the authorization shall be withdrawn automatically and the immigrant shall be deemed an illegal immigrant.
Following the expiration of the four-year temporary authorized legal entry, the registered immigrant shall be required to apply for admission into the country in the same manner and under the same conditions as any other immigrant seeking lawful admission.
Anyone 18 years of age or younger currently residing in this country illegally shall be required to register and provide such information as shall be required by the designated federal agency or department; provided, however, that persons 18 years of age or younger shall also be granted a waiver from any deportation so long as there is a lawful resident guardian with whom they may reside in this country.
Nothing contained in the Federal Immigrant Registration and Employment Plan shall be construed so as to prohibit any immigrant from lawfully entering or residing in the country in accordance with other available authorized means for lawful entry, nor shall such plan prohibit any immigrant from seeking or applying for citizenship in any manner authorized by law.
This letter provides only a basic framework of ideas upon which the working details of an effective plan might be built. Nevertheless, I believe that it is essential to the security of this nation that our leaders commit and strive towards implementation of such a plan. This is a plan of equity, not amnesty — a plan of employment, not citizenship.
I thank you for your time and consideration and will continue to hope and pray that this country will adopt and enforce a meaningful comprehensive immigration and border security plan.
Sincerely,
Sen. Chip Pearson
State Senate, District 51
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Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By curious
May 21, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
This one bears looking into. The main aspect not addressed is the problem of the instant citizen babies being born here.
By BobG
May 21, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Aggressively enforce current laws; illegals will deport themselves… over time and with no significant negative impact on the U.S. economy. What negative impact there may be will be offset by the benefit of removing illegals from the public dole.
You can’t say that attrition through enforcement on a wide-scale basis won’t work— it hasn’t been tried yet. But on a local, targeted basis, it has worked.
Frankly, I don’t care what negative impact enforcement has on businesses that have exploited cheap, under the table labor. Enforce current law and put those employers out of business or in jail and the enterprises that choose to do it legally will prosper.
Bottom line— make everyone bear responsibility for their own deeds. Giving the lawbreaker a pass (you can read amnesty if you like) will NEVER work.
By GodHatesTrash
May 21, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Georgia rednecks are laughable.
I wish we could deport them.
By joan
May 21, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
The senator is asking illegal alliens to come forward to be deported? Who is going to do that and how then will we know who resides here illegally? It makes no sense to me at all.
By GodHatesTrash
May 21, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Georgia rednecks are laughable.
I wish we could deport them.
By american american
May 21, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
ship them back to where they were born and send a politician with each one of them
By jungleland
May 21, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
“Aggressively enforce current laws; illegals will deport themselves… “
That’s the first sensible thing I’ve heard on this debate for a long time. If you are here illegally, then get legal or go back (or risk quickly getting deported). This is the same law that we have for the collage student here on a visa or anyone else. If you want to stay, get in line to become a citizen or go home before they start to enforce the existing laws and you end up deported.
When the crack-down on speeders over the holiday weekend, we don’t cry out that it’s not fair since I didn’t get pulled over the week before…we accept that the laws on the books CAN be enforced at any time and that there are times when the law is more aggressively enforced…NOW needs to be one of these times.
By JohnD
May 21, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this
Sen. Pearson is so smart. It takes a brillant mind to figure out that we can’t ship all 12 million undocumented residents back at one time. That we should do it in phases. I thought we could just give away tacos at Turner Field and all 12 million would show up. Then we would just put them on the 300,000 buses we had waiting in the parking lot and ship them off all at once. What problem?
By JohnD
May 21, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
P.S. RE: How smart Sen. Pearson is.
Stunningly brilliant idea to let the military take care of this. Rounding up 12 million illegals should be a snap for our generals. I mean look how well they are ferreting out the bad elements in Iraq. But if the military doesn’t want the job, the private sector can do it. What is the telephonen number for Halliburton?
By TW
May 21, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Isn’t this Pearson the guy who got the DUI Sunday night? Or was that another one of those family values Republicans? These guys with the puffed out empty chests are real good at picking on poor souls who aren’t gonna fight back - go get bin laden, why don’t ya’?
By Wesley Franklin
May 21, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
“A LINE IN THE SAND CONFRONTING THE THREAT AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER” GOOD Food For Thought Iraq’s Learning Spanish Before Crossing to America! (Iraqs pages 29-32) Senator Mc Cauls 10th District Texas Website http://www.house.gov/mccaul/
By Indocumentado
May 21, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Pearson is a double-faced bigot. My company built his 3-million dollar home in Dawsonville, he was glad most of the workers were illegals so “he could get a nice house for the money”. he also employs illegals to do his landscaping and lawn maintenance. His wife used to hire 2 Mexican maids to clean up the house, but she has quit, maybe becaue she doesn’t want to be seen as a hypocrite. What a character! he should be ashamed of his immigrant bashing for political grandstanding. I can prove every bit of information, even with photos.
By Earl
May 21, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
TW - let’s be correct here. It was the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee - Republican Ben Harbin who was arrested after a Sunday morning 1:00AM DUI wreck at the intersection of Harden Avenue & Memorial Drive in Atlanta. Chairman Harbin is a Baptist Church Deacon. I’m guessing Deacon Ben Harbin came to minister to one of the many male prostitutes who frequent this area at 1:00AM.
By cnote
May 21, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
“I can prove every bit of information, even with photos.”
Ah you might not want to be showing photos of your illegal workers you used to build Pearson’s home.
By Debbie
May 22, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
I support LEGAL Immigration. I am so sick and tired about hearing what would we do if the illegals went back home.
I tell you what would happen. The wages would go up. We may have to pay more for services, but it would be offset by higher wages.
Our children suffer in schools now because schools have to spend millions of dollars each year to teach illegals English and bring them up to par. There would be money for other programs that American children need.
Without illegals flooding the health departments and hospital emergency rooms, health care costs would go down. More money would be available to help disabled American children.
I keep hearing supporters of the immigration bill saying that if the bill passes it would bring illegals out of the shadows and they would pay taxes. That is bs. Most illegals are paid low wages and would qualify for Earned Income Credit for Federal Income Taxes. That means they would be getting money back for taxes they did not pay in and would receive refunds.
Employers are getting rich off the backs of tax payers. Employers pay low wages to illegals and offer no health insurance. They increase their profit margin and the taxpayer has to pay for medical care for illegals. I say put in strict penalties and even jail time for employers that knowingly hire illegals. Put in a verification system.
Take away incentives for illegals and they will deport themselves. (IE:Jobs, free health care, free education)
By SD
May 22, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
This so called law is about a big of a joke as that phony pretty boy Edwards charging 55K for a speech on poverty. Do you really expect illegals to learn English, have the head of household go back to their home country and pay a fine? And God Hates Trash, you appear everywhere they let your creepy over the top need for attention little post appear in the paper, why don’t you get the therapy for your need for attention, you say the stupiest things I have ever read on a blog, you third world idiot. You mist be an illegal yourself, or at least the child of one. Hopefully you and yours will get swept up in the net when we get a real Republican in the White House and we build a wall and we get serious about sending this illegal trash back to the garbage heap they call their homeland.
By Will Jones
May 22, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
Secure the borders for good and common sense reasons. We are a sovereign nation with a legacy to protect. A big part of our legacy is the open recognition that Novus Ordo Seclorem is the way to live: no king and no pope, only Annuit Coeptis for each individual to reckon on his or her own.
Now we are confronted by Rome’s “National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry:” their 36-page published stratagem for promoting illegal immigration to Our Country in order to subvert our Founding Whig culture and to supplant our “language from a North Atlantic island.”
Know thine enemy. Who now will stand with the agents of fascist plutocracy who treasonously financed Hitler and Nazism, from America’s Roman Catholic collection plates through Rockefellers’ bank and Prescott Bush, to protect “the old blood” of papal Europe from “Jewish Marxists,” during WWII and the Holocaust? Who now stands with the Knight of Malta-led CIA who assassinated John Kennedy to send us to die for the pope in Vietnam, and oversaw the 9-11 treason? Who stands with the pedophile priesthood against the American Dream of justice and probity? Let them now show their colors for illegal immigration as spelled out by the Fifth Column’s leadership in the Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops’ “National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry.”
I say we secure the border, then expropriate the assets and expel the hierarchy of the Roman Anti-Christ. Their Congress who have committed Treason by turning a blind-eye to Bush’s obvious 9-11 treason must be tried and punished, that Rockefeller and Rome not use Our Flag as toilet paper any more.
Those immigrants who truly wish for La Suena Americana and can depart Rome to become American should be permitted a path to citizenship. Rome must be removed from our shores once and for all…and their agents in the Bush/Nixon/Rockefeller Fifth Column must be brought to justice for JFK, MLK, Vietnam, 9-11 and the false war now being waged for Afghan heroin and Roman Catholic BIG OIL.
Jefferson identified it as the “real Anti-Christ.” As Our Founder he deserves respect.
By SD
May 22, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
I hope the government is keeping an eye on Will Jones, he makes Rosie O’Donnell look sane.
By Will Jones
May 22, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Thomas Jefferson and America 1 Rome and Santo Domingo 1
By Pablo
May 22, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Senor Will Jones - mis amigo - you need to take your medicine, then go to your parish priest and confess your sins. May the Holy Father bless you!
By Will Jones
May 22, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
SD lives the lie so questions the sanity of truth. James Guckert’s homosexual, draft-dodging lover did 9-11…his father, GHW Bush, and the Roman Catholic CIA killed John Kennedy to keep us in Rome’s Vietnam, and to keep Rome’s bankers in the Fed in control of our money; and his Knight of Malta-grandfather was Hitler’s banker. Rome’s “National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry” spells out their stratagem for taking over America. Read it yourself at your Roman Catholic church library.
The Truth will out and W. is outed.
By Dr. DeOtis Washington
May 22, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand all the fuss over so called “illegal aliens” in the USA. After all, this country was built upon the backs of the largest group of illegal aliens; smuggled African captives brought to this country illegally as slaves from 1808 - 1860. Remember, the US Constitution forbade the importation of any slaves after 1808.
Also, why is it that Cubans who raft into South Florida daily can legally stay under the Federal Government’s “wet foot/dry foot” policy but Mexicans and Haitians can not stay?
By Will Jones
May 22, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
Of the 170 some cardinals in the papal conclave up for pope only one was a member of Hitler Youth…guess which one was elected to be the successor to the beneficiiary of the murder of JP1: a chemical salesman for the Solvay division of the IG Farben Chemical Co….whose only product was Zyklon-B? Each of Rome’s 187 dioceses in the U.S. has at least one convicted pedophile priest…many have dozens. What American now stands here to defend that which America’s genius Founder and Prophet knew to be the “real Anti-Christ?”
By Will Jones
May 22, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
E Pluribus Unum…that all Nations of the world shall flow into a New and Righteous Nation: America.
White and Black Whigs founded America. Look at John Hanson on the back of the new $2 bill: The first to sign his name as “President of the United States.” All Americans must be One Nation. Rome’s Fifth Column, easily caught in their generational treason on behalf of fascist plutocracy and Roman Catholic BIG OIL, must be extirpated and expropriated for the Tories they are.
Secure the border. Expel Rome. Welcome new citizens wishing to live in righteousness.
By SD
May 22, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Will Jones, say three Mel Gibsons and attend a Hillary Clinton rally. Dude, are you are one scary messed up person whom I hope to God is impotent, or at least, STERILE. If not, I feel for your poor daughter carrying your child.
By Paco & muchachos
May 22, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Oye Senador Pearson,
Que pasa senor Senador?
You had no problemas when you ask me and Pedro & Miquel & Gomez & Jose to do the work on your mansion. You even had no problemas helping us with the western union money orders. You had no problemas picking up the muchachos at the corner of opportunity in your pickup truck. You even promised to let us work in your Governors mansion when you get elected Governor, so why are me and the muchachos reading these awful things you say about us in the papeles. Gracias, Su amigo Paco
By WTF?
May 22, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
Will Jones,
Man you need help bad! May I recommend several cold bottles of cervesa and a warm senorita for the afternoon. Trust me, you will feel better en la manana.
By SAG
May 22, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
Dr. DeOtis visit the heavily poplulated Haitian and Mexican areas of some of out cities and ask yourself do you want Amercia looking like these areas? We really don’t need VooDoo and the blood of a sacrificed goat to make us well again, we have something called medicine. Nor do we need cars parked on lawns and fifteen people living in a two bedroom rental. Oh my how I long for the real Amercia I grew up in when Amercia looked as Amercian as a Norman Rockwell painting. Idaho is looking better and better each day.
By Dr. DeOtis Washington
May 22, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
SAG, you’re starting to sound like Will Jone’s cousin. Norman Rockwell’s vision of America only existed in a magazine and your mind. Don’t go downing the Haitian brothers and the Mexican brothers until you’re more thoroughly aquainted with the geography of America. Visit Birmingham, visit Savannah (not the tourist areas), visit Macon, visit Valdosta, Visit Gainesville. Poverty is an evil that cuts across all ethnicities. If you don’t believe me, visit the many trailer parks dotting the Georgia and Alabama landscapes and you will not find one black brother, one Haitian brother or one Mexican brother living there. It is a gospel fact that the majority of DFACS “clients” in Georgia are white. It is a fact that the majority of health insured on PeachCare are white. Poverty is not a racial issue. Poverty obviously did not exist in Norman Rockwell’s images but neither did enthic diversity. Why is that? Please sir, crawl out of your lilly white Idahao cacoon and look at our world!
By WTF?
May 22, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
SAG - hey dude, what’s wrong with sacrificing goats?
It’s better than sacrificing virgins and besides, you know how hard it is to find a virgin in Atlanta?
By Amanda
May 22, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
So much for the huddled masses yearning to breathe free…
By Will Jones
May 22, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Yes to the “huddled masses.” No to fascist plutocracy’s traitors and their pedophile priesthood.
By Sharon Dupree
May 22, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
How far back does he want to go? Contrary to popular myth, there are people from all over the world here illegally. What about their offspring? Do they also get deported?
By natty
May 24, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
which illegal alien would go forward to register as being “illegal”?, and really believe that they’ll ever have a chance of coming back after being deported? those Illegal aliens, according to Lou Dobb, might be all “uneducated”, but there’re surely not stupid.
Very poor recommendation, selfish, anti-immigrant, not humane, and very liard.