Chairman's Corner
Many Dems Feel Need for Strict Enforcement
Opelika-Auburn News
With the failure of President George W. Bush to successfully solve an eight-year priority of his presidency – immigration reform-- many local and state elected officials have taken the immigration issue upon themselves and begun the process of trying to deal with the massive and complex issue of guest workers and illegal immigration. To date, some 1,200 bills have been introduced by state legislatures nationwide.
After all, in towns and counties across Alabama it is the local sheriffs, DHR officials, district attorneys, school systems, health care facilities, financial institutions that ultimately deal with the inadequacies of our national policies .
Estimates for Alabama reveal that at least 15 percent of building construction, landscaping, food service and agricultural related jobs in Alabama are filled by non-citizen, and often illegal/undocumented workers. The school population for Hispanic children now approaches 4 percent of the total Alabama school population. Clearly the economic contribution and impact of this labor pool is significant; however, some believe it is offset by government expenditures and future liability for subsequent services.
The issue has sliced the Republican establishment in half with pro-industry Republicans quietly defending the status quo, while populists from both parties are banging a political drum for fences, deportation, new penalties and the like.
Many Democrats feel the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws and the development of sound policies that firmly hold employers liable. Also we must fund and equip law enforcement at all levels, all while respecting human rights. A prime example of a non-enforced existing law is the 1997 Alabama New Hire Act that set up a mandatory statewide system to identify all new hires in the state.
Unfortunately, Gov. Bob Riley and his Industrial Relations Department follow their own "administrative rule" that thwarts the purpose of the New Hire Act, which mandates a statewide data base of Social Security numbers for all new hires.
A check of records shows that zero businesses or individuals have been fined under the New Hire Act since the law was passed under former Gov. Fob James by a Democratic legislature. Why shouldn’t verified new hires by Social Security card or guest worker pass be logged into a statewide system before employment starts? That is good public policy. Legal workers and employers would be respected and illegal violators punished.
Like his annual vs. four-year property tax reappraisals, Gov. Riley’s administration simply promulgates administrative rules by executive order to stifle legislation passed by the legislature.
The Democratically-controlled legislature recently set up the 27-member Joint Patriotic Immigration Commission during the 2007 session. This commission hold public hearings and report to the legislature its findings and recommendations for immigration policy in 2008.
Riley appointees were loaded from industry, while democrats Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom and Speaker Seth Hammett appointed a more diverse slate including citizens that can speak from all perspectives on this issue.
It is naïve to think that the social, economic and legal dynamics of this issue are solved overnight. It is incumbent on both parties and all elected officials to resist the sound-bite demagoguery that can illicit quick and predictable responses from certain constituencies.
Instead, we must tackle this festering issue which folds itself into homeland security, local economics, rule of law and respect for all of God’s children.
Immigration will be an ongoing debate that all Alabamians should join with clear hearts, strong minds and full understanding. Alabama Democrats are prepared to do our part to facilitate this debate.
Joe Turnham is Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party.
