Georgia agency under scrutiny for treatment of Puerto Ricans (Atlanta: legally, licenses)

[Airforceguy]

Georgia’s zeal for combating illegal immigration has left it vulnerable to accusations that it violates the civil rights of Puerto Ricans who apply for driver’s licenses, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation has found.

Trafficking in fraudulent Puerto Rican birth certificates is a persistent problem, and immigrants in the U.S. illegally have tried to use them to obtain driver’s licenses — and the ability to work and other benefits that come with them. Licensing officials across the country have sought to address the problem. But documents obtained by the newspaper under the state Open Records Act show Georgia has gone to unusual lengths to curtail fraud.

https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regi...iZ0gihmVlTDyL/

[markjames68]

So there is legitimate serious fraud with fake PR birth certificates - that’s what the officials need to focus on, not verification questions.

[seussie]

Good that this is headed to court. It wouldn't be resolved if it wasn't.

[jero23]

Uh...last time I remember that Puerto Rican citizens are U.S. citizens by birth. This will not end well for the State of Georgia in court.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by jero23

Uh...last time I remember that Puerto Rican citizens are U.S. citizens by birth. This will not end well for the State of Georgia in court.

They are. The issue is that they get PR birth certificates which due to corruption are subject to being faked or stolen. This opens it up to non-US citizens getting PR birth certificates and representing themselves as US citizens.

[bUU]

If someone working for or serving in the government cannot figure out a way to deal with the situation without assuming someone presenting a Puerto Rican birth certificate is committing fraud, then they don't deserve to be working for or serving in the government.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by markjames68

They are. The issue is that they get PR birth certificates which due to corruption are subject to being faked or stolen. This opens it up to non-US citizens getting PR birth certificates and representing themselves as US citizens.

That's not a suitable justification to profile Puerto Ricans. That's a violation of their civil rights as US citizens. It also shows how intellectually lazy the agency is.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by jero23

That's not a suitable justification to profile Puerto Ricans. That's a violation of their civil rights as US citizens. It also shows how intellectually lazy the agency is.

I agree they shouldn’t profile Puerto Ricans. There needs to be better diagnostic work done to flush out the fake birth certificates.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by jero23

Uh...last time I remember that Puerto Rican citizens are U.S. citizens by birth. This will not end well for the State of Georgia in court.

The issue is Illegal Immigrants from other countries (mainly Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador) are trying to pass themselves off as Puerto Rican and trying to obtain fraudulent birth certificates. Its a huge issue that needs to be stopped hence why there are extra parameters in place. This is an example of Illegal Immigrants screwing it up for people who are doing nothing wrong. Its a scam that is negatively impacting Puerto Ricans the state of Georgia isn't at fault here the Illegal Immigrants are.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by bUU

If someone working for or serving in the government cannot figure out a way to deal with the situation without assuming someone presenting a Puerto Rican birth certificate is committing fraud, then they don't deserve to be working for or serving in the government.

Well kinda like how Illegal Immigrants don't deserve to be in this country but are committing fraud to do such? Without that there would be no problems. Right?