Considering Take Back Kentucky allowed an article outlining concerns with some of the provisions in SB 6, TBK is also providing a statement in support of it. However, the intent of that bill is something that is needed regarding the illegal immigration issue in Kentucky, primarily due to the lack of action on the Federal government’s part to execute it’s responsibilities. The below statement was submitted but not allowed to be heard before committee. Regardless of one’s opinion of this matter that is something that must be addressed in Frankfort, allowing more Citizen testimony as opposed to special interest by lobbyists and government bureaucrats
We encourage you to visit K-FIRE for more immigration information in Kentucky
Fiscal and Traumatic Costs of Illegal Immigration in Kentucky
By Douglas Roy – President of Kentuckians For Immigration Reform and Enforcement (KFIRE)
Honorable Chairman Riggs and Honorable Representatives of the people, ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to speak with you today regarding the impact of Senate Bill 6 on the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Much has been said regarding the enforcement cost, but I would like to speak about two greater costs: The fiscal and traumatic burden placed upon Kentuckians. This is not a myth. The problems are real. They affect Kentuckians’ lives, jobs, and pocketbooks.
Currently we have an unemployment rate estimated at 10.3%[1]. Some 200,000 unemployed or under employed Kentuckians are struggling to survive in hard economic times. They are the least able to bear this fiscal impact of criminal aliens. Many jobs once done by hard working Kentuckians have gone to illegal aliens who are able to work for a much cheaper wage. Illegal aliens do not bear the same costs and responsibilities of law abiding citizens. Their employers pocket the difference while thousands of Kentuckians stay unemployed.
The Federation for American Immigration Reform did a cost analysis in 2010[2] on the impact of illegal immigration in the United States. For Kentucky, the study was done using state data and an estimated 45,000 illegal aliens and 8,800 of their U.S. born children, and that number, in my opinion, is far too conservative. The subsidies include: education, health care, the justice system costs, welfare, food assistance, and so on. The net cost to Kentuckians to subsidize just one illegal alien is $5,700! That’s $308 million dollars per year! Money meant to help our own citizens is, instead, going to subsidize thousands of criminal aliens.
But that is only part of the cost. Not mentioned in that study was the individual cost of pain, heartache, and financial ruin dumped upon Kentuckians. Some have been hit by unlicensed and uninsured drivers; some exposed to heretofore eradicated diseases[3]; some whose lives have been upended by aliens who have stolen their social security number. Identity theft is an epidemic and forty million social security cards have been compromised![4] Then there are the children and adults whose lives, sadly, have been dramatically devastated: molested, raped, robbed, or murdered by violent alien criminals[5]. This is not to mention a vast majority of citizens vexed by illegal aliens constantly snubbing our laws.[6]
Accidents can happen to anyone, but it is no accident that illegal aliens end up in Kentucky. They are drawn here by sanctuary policies of various counties and cities that want their cheap labor and refuse to screen their immigration status. The Kentucky Legislature must level the playing field for law abiding businesses and create and maintain conditions that encourage these people to self deport. Senate Bill 6 will help do that.
Honorable Chairman Riggs and Honorable Representatives of the Kentucky people, I urge you to support this measure and vote yes for Senate Bill 6. Thank you for your time and your consideration of this measure.
“Illegal aliens come in all colors and races. It is not about race but legality.” Doug Roy
It is neither kind nor ethical to satisfy one’s own sense of charity toward aliens with a job or educational opportunity meant for a lawful citizen.
Attrition through enforcement of the law will happen here just as it has in Missouri,[7] and law enforcement costs will decrease over time. Jails now overcrowded will return to normal levels.
Kentucky’s total receipts from State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) $347,579[8]
“People should feel uncomfortable about breaking the law. If we have a policy that is demonstrated to be consistent, many people will get the message and decide that remaining in Kentucky isn’t worth the price that they have to pay.”
Douglas Roy – President of KFIRE http://kfire.us
Home 859-233-0947, Cell 859-312-9421, Doug@kfire.us
[1] http://www.workforcekentucky.ky.gov/cgi/databrowsing/?PAGEID=4
[2] http://kfire.us/Costs/USCostStudy_2010.pdf
[3] http://www.ehow.com/list_6587841_illegal-immigration-communicable-diseases.html
[4] http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/12/odds-someone-else-has-your-ssn-one-in-7.html
[5] http://kfire.us/Reports/GAO%202005-Incarcerated%20Criminal%20Aliens.pdf
[6] http://www.endillegalimmigration.com/illegal_immigration_polls_surveys/index.shtml
[7] http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/sep/23/state-arrests-of-illegal-immigrants-down/
[8] http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/10_SCAAPAward_.pdf