East Cobb Democrats and guests gathered Thursday evening (May 4) to learn more about immigration issues from GALEO Executive Director Jerry Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez discussed many of the facts surrounding the complex issues of immigration including immigrants’ contribution to our work force, how many people are allowed into our country each year legally and how many come in as undocumented workers. Mr. Gonzalez emphasized that even though we have as many as 6-8 million undocumented workers in a variety of industries and agriculture, the farmers say they still need more workers to do the work. He disputed the use of the term “illegal immigrant,” because while the act of crossing the border may be illegal, the person doing the act is not illegal, just as someone who breaks a speeding law is not illegal.

One guest, announcing to the group that he was a doctor who had practiced in Gwinnett County, stated that while Hispanic women were only 14 percent of the population, 67 percent of the births in Gwinnett County were not only to undocumented Hispanic women, but undocumented Hispanic women on welfare. Mr. Gonzalez disputed the statement, reminding the audience that undocumented women of any ethnic background are not eligible for welfare, but children born in the United States are American citizens according to current law, and are thus entitled to benefits and care in our hospitals. Current law also requires any person to be cared for in emergency rooms regardless of status. Further research shows that Hispanic women are having 27 percent of the births in Gwinnett County, a vast difference from 67 percent.

After Mr. Gonzalez gave his talk and answered questions, the local candidates also spoke for a few minutes on the topic. In my view, immigration is an emotional issue. People are fearful about two things: losing their jobs to lower paid undocumented workers and paying taxes to support immigrants, particularly their healthcare.” I pointed out that when employers pay undocumented workers under the table or under-pay their employees, all of the taxes that might have been paid because of their labor are not collected: not only state and federal income taxes, but also social security, Medicare, and SDI. “So who is the culprit?” I ask. We need to find a way to give undocumented workers legal status so they can be paid properly, and we need to have laws to require employers to pay immigrant workers the same wages that would be paid to natives. One response was that it will raise the price of food and homes, among other things. The answer: yes, but over all, the costs to our community, to each and every taxpayer will be less.

Contact RuthE Levy [Candidate for Georgia Senate District 32]