Apr 15 2008
Forsyth Commissioners Ask for State Help in Covering Illegal Immigration Costs
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is asking state lawmakers for a plan to help counties with the costs of illegal immigration.
The vote Monday came less than a month after the board rejected Commissioner Beaufort Bailey’s request for a 13-member committee to see how much illegal immigration costs the county.
The Winston-Salem Journal reported Tuesday the resolution acknowledges county officials have little influence and no authority over the laws regarding illegal immigration.
Commission Chairwoman Gloria Whisenhunt says local governments need help with the costs of illegal immigration.
Bailey says he’s not sure the resolution will do much.
County budget director Joe Bartel has estimated the county spends about $11 million annually on services for illegal immigrants.
There are things the County Commission can do if it really wants to. Primarily, they can work with the law enforcement to start cracking down more on illegals by having them verify immigration status when stopped. They can pass ordinances heavily fining businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants and home owners that knowingly rent to them. They can do these things if they really want to. Other cities in the U.S. already have.
I’d also be curious to know why they shot down a request to study the costs of this problem on the county, particularly if the budget director is estimating costs in excess of $11 million a year. That’s not chump change. I don’t think the majority of commissioner of the Forsyth Board are as serious about this as they are potraying themselves to be.
