The below media request was sent to TCSG on Oct. 6, about 4:46 PM.
To whom it concerns at TCSG,
I write to ask for comment on the TCSG policy on the requirement for verification of “lawful presence” contained in (2024) SB 497 (lines 197-201) as it applies to the employers who participate in the apprenticeship program and collect significant cash awards from the Georgia budget. I plan to write educational opinion columns on the premise that TCSG apparently does not have in place a system to ensure that employers who are in the U.S. illegally are excluded from benefits in the apprenticeship program – and that participating employers are not required to undergo the verification measures in OCGA 50-36-1. If true, that policy seems to be in contradiction of state law and could invite court action.
I will cite the information and details contained in the recent TCSG response to my open records request, the letter of inquiry sent to the Georgia Dept. of Law by a concerned state legislator and the response from the AG office. I plan to also cite the quote on legislative intent I received from House Higher Education Committee Chairman Rep. Chuck Martin, the sponsor of the amendment to SB 497 that created the new language on “apprenticeships.” I include part of that input below:
“Question to Chairman Martin: Was it your intent to omit the employer from a verification process or do you hold the position that the addition on line 201 of SB 497 will somehow include the verification of lawful presence for the employer who sends an employee to be trained, please? If it is the latter, it will help my readers (including many state legislators) if you could offer an explanation of that position.
Chairman Martin: “No, in fact, I believe the language covers the employer as well. Additionally, ‘Apprenticeship sponsor’ is defined in the bill (lines 116 – 120), so the additional language added to 50-36-1 is a bit of “belt and suspenders” for state verification.”
I am also looking for an answer to the question on whether for H1B workers are still being included as apprentices. I was informed by TCSG staff last year that H1B workers are in fact included in taxpayer-funded “upskilling” in the apprenticeship program. I look forward to including any further input from TCSG on the reasoning for the reported current policy and system. That revelation has created some expert attention.
My columns appear in the AJC, on James Magazine Online, The Federalist, Breitbart News, in various Georgia newspapers as well as my own widely-read blogs. I also have a weekly radio segment on the popular “Straight Talk” show hosted by Scott Ryfun heard in Coastal Georgia on two stations and well as online at iHeart radio.
In the interest of fairness, balance and accuracy, I look forward to any input from TCSG. My deadline is Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – noon.
Thank you.
D.A. King
404-
Georgians for Immigration Enforcement
_______
Response from TCSG received Oct. 8, 2024.
From: WIOACompliance <WIOACompliance@tcsg.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 11:43 AM
To: dking 888<dking***>
Cc: WIOACompliance <WIOACompliance@tcsg.edu>
Subject: Re: Media Request — Apprenticeship Program
Dear Mr. King,
Since the passage of SB 497, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has been diligently working to establish procedures that ensure both compliance and effective administration of the High Demand Apprenticeship Program. As part of these efforts, we are developing a program-specific affidavit for employers participating in the program, which will verify that all participating employers are lawfully present in the United States, in order to put to rest any concern regarding compliance with O.C.G.A. 50-36-1. We anticipate finalizing and adopting this affidavit within the next month.
After a diligent search of our records, TCSG can confirm that as of this date there have been no H1-B visa holders who have participated in TCSG college-sponsored Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). It is worth noting that, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Programs are widely regarded as a strategic solution to upskill American workers and thereby reduce the dependence of employers upon H1-B and other foreign labor sources.
Best regards,
Office of Workforce Development
Technical College System of Georgia
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