In-depth coverage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has provided comprehensive coverage of the significant role Georgia has played in the national debate on illegal immigration. Today’s story focuses on Cobb County as it decides whether to require the county’s contractors to let a federal agency review their employment records.
A divided Cobb County Commission on Tuesday struck down a controversial proposal that would have imposed new regulations aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from being hired to work on taxpayer projects.
The rule would have required most contractors to ask the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to inspect employment records, advise them on hiring practices and issue fines for illegal hires in serious cases. Cobb would have become one of the nation’s first counties to pass such an ordinance, but it failed 3-2.
Illegal immigration is an especially salient issue in Cobb, which in 2010 made national headlines when illegal immigrants were found to be working on the county’s new courthouse. Leaders have taken a series of steps, including signing up for the ICE program, to guard against illegal immigrants being hired again. Extending the program to contractors has long been discussed as the next phase.
But while Tuesday night’s commission meeting drew a packed house, many in the crowd seemed less interested in a crackdown on illegal workers than in a proposed ordinance — approved by a vote of 3-2 — to allow more Cobb residents to own backyard chickens.
Critics of the immigration-enforcement plan say it would have placed an unfair burden on businesses by allowing the federal government to probe their human resources departments. But supporters, several of whom spoke before the vote, said it was the right thing for the county to do.
“I believe it is a travesty that there has been repeated (use of) illegal immigrants building our city and government structures,” said Claire Harrison of Marietta. “I strongly encourage Cobb to do what Cobb does best — to lead with this enforcement tool.”
Three of Cobb’s five commissioners expressed concerns about the ordinance and its effect on local businesses and county operations. The proposal would have required any business contracting with the county, except in emergency situations, to attest it had applied to the program. Subcontractors would also have been required to comply. It would have touched a broad spectrum of businesses from copy machine repairman to road crews.
“All this is a political policy that has no effectiveness in addressing the underlining issue, which is identifying folks who are here illegally,” said Cobb Chairman Tim Lee.
Still, supporters of the law say it would be an important tool to protect legal workers.
“Any vote against (the proposal) is a vote for illegal workers on Cobb County projects, a disservice to the many unemployed workers who are here legally,” said Jan Barton of Marietta.
Regarding the commission’s decision to let residents seek special permission from the county to own hens, those interested would have to get a response from their neighbors and renew permission with the county every two years.
The current ordinance doesn’t allow residents to own any livestock — poultry included — on a lot less than two acres.
Dozens of supporters attended the meeting and spoke in favor of a change, many wearing buttons and yellow shirts. But many were still unhappy with the proposal because it limits the number of birds and only applies to hens, ruling out ducks and other poultry.
“Backyard poultry has moved beyond the rural perception and is becoming more mainstream,” said Annie Jones Wyatt, a Cobb resident and graduate student. “While a promising start, Cobb’s code amendments are not yet satisfactory. There are still too many hoops to jump through.”
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