Georgia Bill Requiring Immigration Checks on Its Way to Governor

The Georgia Legislature passed a bill on Thursday that would require local jailers to verify the immigration status of inmates and cooperate with federal immigration officials instead of providing sanctuary for those in the country illegally.

With a vote of 99-75, the House approved changes to House Bill 1105, supported by Republicans, which now awaits the governor’s signature after previously passing the state Senate.

Under this legislation, local law enforcement agencies could lose state funding for failing to collaborate with immigration officials, and local officials may also face misdemeanor charges for non-compliance.

The bill gained momentum following the arrest of Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan man accused of killing a nursing student at the University of Georgia. Ibarra, who unlawfully entered the US in 2022, has been charged with murder and assault in the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley.

Democrats have expressed concerns that this measure could lead to local law enforcement enforcing immigration laws, potentially discouraging communities from reporting crimes and cooperating with authorities, despite studies showing that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes compared to native-born Americans.

Republican Jesse Petrea defended the bill, stating that it simply requires law enforcement to collaborate with immigration officials when an individual has committed a crime and is in the country illegally. He believes this is a reasonable expectation for law enforcement.