Georgia Immigration Bill Signed Into Law By Governor Nathan Deal

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed into law on Friday an immigration bill giving police authority to question suspects about their immigration status which is similar to a controversial measure passed in Arizona.

The law also requires many private employers to check the immigration status of newly hired workers on a federal database called E-Verify.

"Today is a dark day for Georgia," said Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, or Galeo.

"Our concern stems from the very serious economic repercussions that will be felt against our state on numerous fronts and the very serious civil and human rights abuses that will also likely follow..."

Opponents predicted costly and drawn-out litigation similar to what has happened following Arizona and Utah laws.

In the absence of federal immigration reform, several states have followed Arizona in enacting or considering immigration laws of their own.

But last month, a U.S. appeals court agreed with an earlier court ruling that blocked parts of Arizona's law from going into effect, including the provision that would require police to determine the immigration status of a person they have detained and suspect is in the country illegally.

Arizona's Republican Governor Jan Brewer said she would petition the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the injunction.

On Tuesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked a milder immigration law in Utah. The ruling by District Judge Clark Waddoups came on the same day the Utah law, passed earlier this year, went into effect.

During a speech in Atlanta on Saturday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the former governor of Arizona, said state laws cracking down on immigration are "based on a falsity" that the federal effort is ineffective.

"The falsity is that there has been nothing done, that the border somehow is out of control. That is incorrect," she said.

(Additional reporting by Tim Gaynor; Edited by Colleen Jenkins and Greg McCune)

Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

Comments

[ragnbully]

04:50 PM on 07/03/2011

Farmers, McDonald's, and Wal Mart are the only businesses that supports unchecked immigrants! I wonder why!

[Paula Rhoads]

12:35 PM on 06/24/2011

In Colorado, many illegal immigrants are whites from Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, East Africa, France, Germany, and Russia.

This is not a racial issue. It is a national sovereignty issue.

Illegals are definitely taking from Americans the opportunities to be employed and support their families. Especially in this economy.

Just wait until American soldiers are coming home by the thousands and wanting a job.

[thriftshop441]

02:32 AM on 06/24/2011

Excuse me what part of Illigal don't you understand? Try going to another country illigally and see what happens to you

[cerebrogasm]

02:28 AM on 06/24/2011

You're all so worried about Latinos and Hispanics overstaying tourist visas or jumping the fence - there's something going on much more insidious - Muslim men marrying American women - getting legalized the "right way" and just waiting for their orders to martyr themselves, while taking along a bunch of we western infidels - as commanded of them in their book. When you actually read their book - you can make no other conclusion that we are at war with Islam - and there is no such thing as a "moderate" muslim - just as there is no such thing a a "moderate" murderer. Now that's an immigration issue that has some real teeth we should be all over.

[georgiajill]

02:46 PM on 06/13/2011

I am a "legal" citizen of the U.S. and any person or institution can do a "background" check on my financial status, my criminal status and anything else I have posted on the internet. Why should "illegal" non citizens not be subject to the same? My grandaughter is married to a Latino and my great grandchildren are part Latino. I am not a bigot in any way, shape or form but I believe there are certain guidelines our forefathers set for us to go by and I still believe in the Constitution of the United States of America.

[m5]

10:18 AM on 05/20/2011

I am ashamed of my state for supporting and passing this (very) thinly veiled anti-Latino legislation. However putting my personal opinion aside, the economic case against it is clear. Georgia is the number one producer of poultry in the U.S. Almost half of our agricultural income comes from that one product. It doesn't take much brainpower to figure out that illegal immigrants are doing a lot of the chicken processing that goes on here. As both legal and illegal immigrants feel more threatened here, they'll undoubtedly vote with their feet. The effect will likely be a hit to Georgia's rural economy and increased costs for chickens nationwide. But don't just take my word for it: http://tiny.cc/75xm3

So way to go JimBob. You sure showed those darn illegals! But then you'll probably be poorer for it in the end. But then again, I guess that's fitting.

[MyAhaMoment]

05:56 PM on 05/17/2011

to all those who responded to my first post...i was referring to LEGAL Hispanic looking people. Most of you speak as though you've never been discriminated against in your life, and probably haven't. It' no different than getting a DWB violation. How sad you truly thing there is no such thing as discrimination in this country. We are, by no means, beyond that capability.

[georgiajill]

02:49 PM on 06/13/2011

I agree with you that there still exists discrimination in this country. It is mostly "classist" and not race or ethnicity based from where I stand. Only time will rid the world of this jaded view of society. In the meantime, we need to abide by the laws as best we can and believe the good will prevail. My grandson and grandchildren are Latino and I am a Yankee/Catholic now living in the south, I have lived in 9 states and never been called a "Yankee" as if it were a "disease" until I moved to Georgia. However, I do agree that the law is the law until we as a people change it.

[presenseOfcolor]

03:59 PM on 05/15/2011

This issue is not about it's resolution, it's all political "elect me" emotional blackmail.
The Democrats had a quorum in both houses as well as the Oval office prior too the 2010 election cycle. They could have used the same parliamentary trick they used twice during that time, the roll call vote to pass anything they wanted too then and no amount of republican ranting could have stopped them either. So they really don't want to grant amnesty, or citizenship, or pass the Dream Act, or defend the borders, or enforce the laws, what they want dear legal immigrants is your sympathy vote, what they want dear fellow Americans is to play on your heart strings so you'll reelect them. And ten years from now we'll have gone through this same BS like we have these last 24 years and nothing will have gone anywhere, except maybe, hopefully maybe we will wake up to the fact that we are all being played like violins. But until we do wake up, this issue will remain unresolved, and will be used as a weapon forged against us..all.

[Bruce Barron]

02:36 PM on 05/15/2011

"State and Local Authority to Enforce Immigration Law: A Unified Approach for Stopping Terrorists"

By Kris W. Kobach
June 2004
Backgrounders and Reports

This article was found under "Center for Immigration Studies". It gives you all the ammunition you need.It is a brief,clear,and succint.


Furthermore "Necessity is not Subject to any Law".

How does a sovereign state defending rightfully its borders against illegal immigrants interfer with immigration law?

"It may safely be received as an axiom in our political system, that the state governments will, in all possible contingencies, afford complete security against invasions of the publick liberty by the national authority".

Here we may say that the liberty of the State is infringed on by the national authority. "New Views of the Constitution"

Arizona,Utah,and now Georgia can and should simply ignore any judges decision and not even waste their time in court.


Amendment 14 - Citizenship Right: This Amendment only refers to American citizens

Does the State or the Federal prosecute in those states where the illigal immigration ocurs?.
Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.
This Amendment refers to all criminal offenders.

Racial profiling is prudent today.

In Constitutional questions touching upon the powers of the state even the SCOTUSs, decisions are never final.

The States are sovereign and the federal government is not

If someone is here legally from a foreign country and commits a crime they will be prosecuted.So much more so for those here illegally.

Bruce Barron


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Rusken]

11:13 PM on 05/16/2011

You need to reread the 14th amendment.

"nor shall any state deprive any PERSON of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any PERSON within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Nowhere in the 14th amendment does it declare or define a "person" as a "citizen".

[TopBrain]

12:39 PM on 05/15/2011

Dear Latinos in Georgia: the good ol boys who run your state are bigots. It's better that you learn this now. Fortunately, there are 49 much better states in this union. Just leave behind the banjo playin Deliverance rednecks and come enjoy civilization.

[thinkabtit39]

03:38 PM on 05/16/2011

I am a hispanic woman living in Georgia and I LOVE IT! I am an American, born and bred. We need to do something to stop the people from coming and working here Illegally, this is a great start! Not about Racism, about following the laws of OUR great country! By the way, My mother came here LEGALLY from Honduras and totally supports this and Az. Law.

[Rusken]

11:15 PM on 05/16/2011

Good luck when the cops stop you and ask for proof of citizenship. I'd carry your birth certificate on you, but I'm not sure they will believe it anyway.

[TopBrain]

01:40 AM on 05/17/2011

I'm glad for your experience. People from Honduras actually have a chance for legal immigration. Mexicans do not. They are looking at a 10 year wait, assuming they have no criminal record. Jesus asks us to treat the least of us like we would treat him. How would you treat Jesus if he was a Mexican immigrant? I'd invite him in. You'd apparently kick him to the curb.

[vietveter]

11:35 AM on 05/15/2011

I am vanilla. I live in GA. If anyone asks me for proof of citizenship he isn’t going to get any cooperation from me. I will not participate in that program. I expect everyone, regardless of race to act the same way.
Even though this is GA. It is still the USA and I don’t need proof of citizenship to walk down the damn street and neither does any one else.

[ww745]

01:37 PM on 05/16/2011

Wrong answer. It is federal law that legal immigrants MUST carry their papers at all times on their person.

TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER II > Part VII > § 1304
Prev | Next § 1304.

Personal possession of registration or receipt card; penalties

Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

[Joshy X]

11:15 AM on 05/15/2011

it's pretty extreme to sign a law that the police have to enforce the law... what kind of country is this?

[Fal Con]

12:18 PM on 05/16/2011

You mean that if I steal a car or kill someone or I am illegally in the country, the cops have to arrest me? You are right, we should be able to do ANYTHING we want. We really shouldn't have any police at all then.

[Joshy X]

12:32 AM on 05/17/2011

i know... what kind of country is this that the cops have to enforce the law... even laws the liberals don't like...shhh

[webcrawler]

11:00 AM on 05/15/2011

Because I'm just sure there are tjust housands of immigrants flocking to Georgia.

[Revhard67]

11:58 AM on 05/16/2011

Actually, the most recent census numbers show that there are just over 9 Million people in GA and 450,000 are illegal immigrants. It is a huge problem here in the Atlanta area as well.

[webcrawler]

05:09 PM on 05/16/2011

thanks, I noticed after the post the replies. I was making a comparison to Texas and CA I guess.

[Rusken]

11:23 PM on 05/16/2011

I see, pass new laws that cost a lot of money to enforce, because 5% of your population is illegal.

[CSIP]

09:59 AM on 05/15/2011

i am a ga resident and i have had many friends over the years that are illegal immigrants. everyone one that i have known has paid taxes and worked hard to have a better life for their families. there are some that screw the system, but they are the minority.

[2012TP]

05:55 PM on 05/15/2011

Is it not screwing the system to be here illegally? Since there is a legitimate way of entering this country, you know since there are many others that do it correctly.

[CSIP]

11:10 PM on 05/15/2011

if you are here illegally, paying your taxes, taking care of a family, not running off and getting free medical care, how exactly are you screwing the system? the illegal immigrants that i have known, live in pretty much the same way that you and i do. i'm in favor of a large fine and some major reform and i wish the legitimate way of entering the country was more attainable. unfortunately it is not, and painting all illegal immigrants with the same brush is not helping matters. do you have a personal relationship with anyone that is here illegally? it helps to give some much needed perspective when you do.

[Fal Con]

12:22 PM on 05/16/2011

How exactly do they "pay their taxes' when they do not have a social security number? They commonly use identity theft to obtain one illegally.

[Nora Maya]

07:43 PM on 05/16/2011

Oh, how do we all pay taxes? Go to school and find out how we all really pay taxes. The RICH of course always pay less, even though they're the ones who need tax cuts! Oh, please don't be so naive and think illegals don't pay taxes everyday!

[dayzee10]

09:56 AM on 05/15/2011

When Arizona went off the deep end I said BOYCOTT ARIZONA......with Georgia I would say the same thing, except there is nothing worthwhile to boycott in Georgia.

[frank day]

10:43 AM on 05/15/2011

I think they'll survive without you.

[Joshy X]

11:16 AM on 05/15/2011

a southern man don't need him around anyhow

[dayzee10]

04:07 PM on 05/15/2011

Are you sure?

[presenseOfcolor]

03:57 PM on 05/15/2011

I love how California boycotted Arizona, they said don't go there or buy their stuff, but all the while California bought gigawatts of Arizona produced electrical power and millions of gallons of Arizona waters. If I had been Arizona I'd have shut off the switches and pumps with a quickness, hypocrites in Californication don't deserve American products.
This issue is not about it's resolution, it's all political "elect me" emotional blackmail.
The Democrats had a quorum in both houses as well as the Oval office prior too the 2010 election cycle. They could have used the same parliamentary trick they used twice during that time, the roll call vote to pass anything they wanted to them and no amount of republican ranting could have stopped them either. So they really don't want to grant amnesty, or citizenship, or pass the Dream Act, or defend the borders, or enforce the laws, what they want dear legal immigrants is your sympathy vote, what they want dear fellow Americans is to play on your heart strings so you'll reelect them. And ten years from now we'll have gone through this same BS like we have these last 24 years and nothing will have gone anywhere, except maybe, hopefully maybe we will wake up to the fact that we are all being played like violins.
Buy heirloom not hybrid, peace between us.

[Rusken]

11:29 PM on 05/16/2011

Deja Vu.