Cobb Chairman Tim Lee supported the idea of using the federal ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program to root out undocumented workers in the county’s workforce.

But he is not so sure about forcing companies that do county contract work to follow that same standard.

“Companies should have the right to engage in it if they want to,” Lee explained. “But they shouldn’t be required to engage in a program that’s voluntary.”

That notion does not sit well with immigration watchdog D.A. King, who accused Lee of flip-flopping on the issue by supporting IMAGE certification for the county, but apparently opposing it for companies that seek county contracts. King said Lee’s position lets employers off the hook.

“Illegal employers will do anything to continue using the illegal labor,” King said.

The issue of requiring companies doing Cobb County contract work to adopt IMAGE comes up for a county commission vote at the end of February.

For More Information: http://www.ice.gov/image/