MEDIA ADVISORY 19 February 2011
The Dustin Inman Society
www.TheDustinInmanSociety.org
3595 Canton Rd. A-9/337
Marietta, Ga. 30066
Contact: D.A. King 404 316 6712
The Dustin Inman Society endorses SB 27 [1] and local use of the DHS ‘IMAGE’ workforce compliance program for Georgia’s public employers and public works contractors
Dustin Inman Society president D.A. King today announced that organization’s endorsement of the Georgia Public Works and Contractor Protection Act (SB 27) and use of the no-cost U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) workforce compliance program for all of public works contractors.
“We commend state Senator Judson Hill for introducing SB 27 and Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott for his recent proposal [2]that Cobb County become IMAGE certified. Both efforts, if successful, will go a long way to protecting the American and legal immigrant workers who trust that the rule of law will protect their jobs and family security” said D.A. King today. He urges careful consideration of SB 27 in the Senate and pleaded for the legislators to acknowledge the profit driven agenda of the powerful construction lobbyists who are actively opposing the bill.
From the IMAGE Website [3]: “Undocumented workers secure jobs through fraudulent means such as presenting false documents, completing fraudulent benefit applications and stealing someone’s identity. To combat unlawful employment and reduce vulnerabilities that help illegal aliens gain such employment, ICE announced the Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program in July 2006. This program assists employers in targeted sectors develop a more secure and stable workforce. It also enhances fraudulent document awareness through education and training.”
“IMAGE certification should be a requirement for all public works contractors before their bids are considered” said King. “There is no reason that all of Georgia’s public employers should NOT begin the process of becoming IMAGE certified today…it’s a no-brainer” he added.
By voluntarily participating in the IMAGE program, companies can reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. As part of IMAGE, ICE and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will provide education and training on proper hiring procedures, fraudulent document detection, use of the E-Verify employment eligibility verification program and anti-discrimination procedures. Employers seeking to participate in IMAGE must agree to:
Complete a self-assessment questionnaire; Enroll in E-Verify; Enroll in the Social Security Number Verification Service [4]; Adhere to IMAGE Best Hiring Practices; Undergo a no cost I-9 audit conducted by ICE; and Review and sign an official IMAGE partnership agreement with ICE.
“As the federal government oversees and insures an I-9 audit, legislation putting the requirement for public works contractors in place will provide a no-cost method for the state to audit compliance with the spirit and letter of existing public works law in Georgia” ended King.
Mr. King also said now that the pressing issue of Sunday retail liquor sales was off the radar, more journalists would consider shifting their focus to legislation designed to protect American workers and the Georgia public from the ravages of illegal immigration and provide enforcement tools for existing Georgia laws aimed in that direction.
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