How do you like Georgia's Tough New Immigration Law Drives Undocumented Immigrants to Leave?

[hagaleah]

On the heels of the Georgia legislature's passage of an immigration law that seeks to make life significantly tougher for undocumented immigrants, many who fear deportation are leaving -- or considering leaving -- the Peach State.

Those who are looking to go elsewhere include undocumented immigrants and their families who harvest the state's famous sweet onions.

The new law -- the toughest state measure on immigration in the nation -- penalizes people who harbor or transport undocumented immigrants in some situations and allows law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of suspects who can't show an approved form of identification. Using false documents to get a job -- a common practice among undocumented immigrants -- will be a felony once the law goes into effect in July.

Fliers on a Mexican storefront advertise free transportation for workers willing to pick jalapenos and banana peppers in Florida and blueberries in the Carolinas. Buying an outbound bus ticket now requires reservations.

While most states rejected immigration crackdowns this year, conservative Georgia and Utah are the only states where comprehensive bills have passed.

With the ink barely dry on Georgia's law, among the toughest in the country, the divisions between suburban voters and those in the countryside are once again laid bare when it comes to immigration, even among people who line up on many other issues.

Sandra Almanza, 20, cried behind the counter of her mother's store, La Michoacana, at the thought of leaving to protect her husband, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico City and the father of her unborn daughter. The couple was finishing the nursery.

"We just finished painting her room, but we don't know how long we'll stay there," said Almanza, a U.S. citizen whose parents originally came to Lyons years ago to work in the onion fields. Their store sells phone cards to migrant laborers and wires their money back home. "We really don't have that many options."

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2011/05/20/georgias-tough-new-immigration-law-prompts-undocumented-immigrants-leave-state/

[warton26]

On the heels of the Georgia legislature's passage of an immigration law that seeks to make life significantly tougher for undocumented immigrants, many who fear deportation are leaving -- or considering leaving -- the Peach State.

Those who are looking to go elsewhere include undocumented immigrants and their families who harvest the state's famous sweet onions.

The new law -- the toughest state measure on immigration in the nation -- penalizes people who harbor or transport undocumented immigrants in some situations and allows law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of suspects who can't show an approved form of identification. Using false documents to get a job -- a common practice among undocumented immigrants -- will be a felony once the law goes into effect in July.

Fliers on a Mexican storefront advertise free transportation for workers willing to pick jalapenos and banana peppers in Florida and blueberries in the Carolinas. Buying an outbound bus ticket now requires reservations.

While most states rejected immigration crackdowns this year, conservative Georgia and Utah are the only states where comprehensive bills have passed.

With the ink barely dry on Georgia's law, among the toughest in the country, the divisions between suburban voters and those in the countryside are once again laid bare when it comes to immigration, even among people who line up on many other issues.

Sandra Almanza, 20, cried behind the counter of her mother's store, La Michoacana, at the thought of leaving to protect her husband, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico City and the father of her unborn daughter. The couple was finishing the nursery.

"We just finished painting her room, but we don't know how long we'll stay there," said Almanza, a U.S. citizen whose parents originally came to Lyons years ago to work in the onion fields. Their store sells phone cards to migrant laborers and wires their money back home. "We really don't have that many options."

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2011/05/20/georgias-tough-new-immigration-law-prompts-undocumented-immigrants-leave-state/

I like it. It's very good to hear of voters and congressmen who are courageous enough to tackle this problem in a positive and effective way.

I would love to see Texas congressmen get a little intestinal fortitude and take similar measures. In fact, since our national congress, and our federal judicial system have turned their backs on American citizens, I'd love to see EVERY state enact similar legislation.

[lazaro94]

Our family from Europe came in the legal way and sold fruit from stands in Philadelphia to make a living. We cannot support the hoards who are here illegally.

[jolie]

If only IL lawmakers were like GA lawmakers. I envy people who live in states where the lawmakers actually try to do something about illegal immigration.

[talbot]

Once the illegals move to other states they will see with their own eyes the problem we have been facing down here in the border states. I salute them.

[hob97]

Wish all the states would do this. Might consider retiring in Georgia now.

[talbot]

I like it and wish my state was not a sanctuary state that I know many will run to.

[abisha]

Awesome news. Thank the lord?

[adin55]

Great. Send'em home

[dalon]

Great. Send'em home

They knew they where breaking the law and now has to reap the harshness of it all.I really cant feel sorry for them.My only problem is now Georgia is just telling them to leave its not like they are deporting them they are just sending them to other states.Really how is that helping our economy in the long run.Whats the difference in them eating off the govt in Georgia or in Florida.Just passing the bucket.