Georgia Immigration

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Illegal Immigration in Georgia

228,000 illegal aliens resided in Georgia as of 2000, according to INS figures. The number of illegal aliens has increased 613 percent since 1996 and 777 percent since 1992, giving Georgia the seventh largest illegal immigrant population in the country.36

In mid-May 1998, during the harvest of the $90 million Vidalia onion crop in southeastern Georgia, the INS launched operation “Southern Denial” and apprehended 21 illegal alien workers in Glennville.

The INS action led to a political firestorm reportedly involving House Speaker Gingrich and negotiations between the INS and the Georgia onion growers that led to a halt to INS enforcement actions.

The growers agreed to avoid hiring illegal aliens and participate in an INS program to verify the legal status of newly hired workers.37

In 2001, an INS investigation found more than 100 illegal aliens working in exploitative conditions in Atlanta area restaurants.

Four Chamblee employment agencies imported and routed illegal aliens to Chinese restaurants, where they were kept in crowded, filthy conditions, worked long hours, and received no benefits and substandard pay.

A portion of their paychecks was was deducted to cover their housing and transportation to and from work.38

Georgia authorities requested $10.4 million in compensation from the federal government in FY'99 for the incarceration of illegal aliens in state and local jails and prisons, but it received only $4 million in compensation, leaving $6.4 in uncompensated costs to be borne by Georgia taxpayers.

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