Democrats to continue immigration law fight

ATLANTA — House Democrats said Thursday it’s important for opponents of Georgia’s tough new immigration law to keep fighting it even though the Republican leadership is not likely to allow changes that weaken it.

“We have to keep being that little stone in their shoe,” Rep. Pedro Marin, D-Duluth, said after a public hearing on the law and its effects organized by the House Democratic Caucus.

A long string of people testified at the hearing, saying the law has harmed restaurant owners, small-business owners and farmers and that it has hurt Georgia’s economy and reputation.

Marin and several other Democrats have filed legislation that would repeal the law. Another measure filed by Democrats would give small-business owners more time before they’re required to use the federal E-Verify database to screen new hires.

Employers with 500 or more workers were required to use the database starting this year. The Democratic plan would push back the requirement for small companies with more than 10 but fewer than 50 employees from 2013 to 2015.

Rep. Matt Ramsey, R- Peachtree City, authored the law and said that illegal immigrants are financially burdening the state and added that the supporters of the crackdown “will oppose any effort to diminish its provisions.”

House Democratic Caucus vice chairman Rep. Rashad Taylor, of Atlanta, acknowledged that a healthy Republican majority in both chambers of the Legislature means it’s unlikely either of the Democratic proposals will see any action. But it’s important to keep working against the new law rather than just accepting it, he said.

“We need to get the public involved,” he said. “Being in the minority, we have to build an army of people to get things done and keep up the pressure on the majority.”