Joint Immigration Study Committee Holds Second Meeting at the Capitol

ATLANTA (November 18, 2010) – Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) made the following statement today regarding the second meeting of the Special Joint Study Committee on Immigration Reform:

“The study committee is providing an open dialogue between lawmakers and all stakeholders in the illegal immigration issue that will help us develop policies to enforce immigration laws in our state.  We wouldn’t be here if the federal government was enforcing the current laws, and it’s our duty to find solutions to this issue,” said Mullis.  “The more than 400,000 illegal immigrants in Georgia are placing a tremendous financial burden on state and local resources.  Our intent is not to close our doors to those who come to our country legally, but to put the emphasis back on personal responsibility.” 

The Special Joint Committee on Immigration Reform held their second meeting yesterday at the State Capitol.  The Committee heard testimony from the Department of Corrections, the Board of Regents, as well as representatives from the Association of General Contractors, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, and Americans for Immigration Control.  This 14-member joint committee, made up of seven members of the State Senate and seven members of the House of Representatives, are meeting with members on both sides of the immigration debate to draft legislation to stem the flow of illegal immigration activity in Georgia.  Rep. Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) and Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) serve as co-chairmen of the Special Joint Committee on Immigration Reform.

Sen. Jeff Mullis serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He represents the 53rd Senate district which includes Chattooga, Dade, and Walker counties and portions of Catoosa County.  He can be reached at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.0057 or by email at jeff.mullis@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
November 18, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028