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Below is my letter to the editor published today.<\/p>\n
Golden Isles News<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n November 23, 2016<\/p>\n Wire transfer bill a wise move<\/strong><\/p>\n The Golden Isles News’ recent report<\/a> on state Rep Jeff Jones\u2019 commonsense legislation to create a system by which the state can reap as much as $100 million a year from black market activity contained more than one concerning premise.<\/p>\n Jones\u2019 refundable fee on out-of-state wire transfers<\/a> idea would mimic an already proven-successful, six-year-old system that has brought in millions for Oklahoma. The refundable fee would apply only to individuals. It is important to restate: That means all individuals. Even drug dealers and illegally present \u2018victims of borders.\u2019<\/p>\n Your report says \u201c\u2026allegations have been made in the press and elsewhere that the proposed legislation targets undocumented workers sending money back to their families in their home countries\u2026\u201d \u201cAllegations?\u201d What if the bill really was only aimed at illegal aliens? Is that something to be ashamed of or to qualify as an \u201callegation?\u201d<\/p>\n Given the incomplete and inaccurate media coverage of the organized crime of illegal immigration in Georgia and the U.S. over the last several decades, it is not difficult to understand some confusion on the part of people who only depend on the MSM for \u201cnews\u201d – but \u201callegation?\u201d<\/p>\n A recent report posted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution Political Insider blogger, Jim Galloway<\/a>, told readers that the bill only applied to \u201cforeigners.\u201d That false premise went all over the state, as intended. This is what is known as \u201cfake news\u201d <\/a>– designed to stop educated evaluation of this quite reasonable revenue bill. Galloway had never read the bill.<\/p>\n We cannot honor real immigrants or protect the tradition of immigration if we do not guard our borders and enforce our immigration laws.<\/p>\n According to the DHS, Georgia ranks number seven for states in the nation in its illegal population. We have more illegal aliens than Arizona. Estimates are that Georgia taxpayers are spending upwards of $2.4 billion a year on illegal immigration.<\/p>\n Mexico received about $25 billion <\/a>last year sent back by its citizens living outside of that nation. In 2006, more than $1 billion was sent out of Georgia to Latin America. That is not an allegation, but a fact.<\/p>\n The \u201callegations\u201d should come when we note any elected official \u2013 or journalist \u2013 who ignores the very real negative consequences of illegal immigration.<\/p>\n Further, using the unfounded, race-baiting, anti-enforcement smears from the discredited, Southern Poverty Law Center <\/a>to attack the respected Center for Immigration Studies<\/a> ignores the fact that the far-left defames any and all who speak up on sensible, legal immigration.<\/p>\n Opponents of Jones bill need to use real facts to explain why it is a bad idea to add $100 million a year to state coffers while we struggle to increase pay for our law enforcement officers.<\/p>\n