| Capitol Beat News Service
Atlanta – A Georgia Senate Committee advanced the legislation on Wednesday that school districts and other management bodies would expose to lawsuits if they violated a state law that requires cooperation with federal officials and police to implement immigration.
The Senate Committee for Public Security led by Republicans voted 5: 3 for Senate Bill 21, which would do without sovereign immunity against violations. Sovereign immunity protects the governments against complaints.
Legislation is aimed at the so -called “Sanctuary City” policy – local rules against the cooperation with the federal immigration authorities.
In the measure, the sheriffs must comply with the inquiries from the federal immigration hedges, and a representative of the Georgia Sheriff's association said that his group was neutral.
Mack Parnell from the Georgia Faith & Freedom Coalition expressed support for the entire bill, but other supporters were rejected.
Megan Gordon, political director of the Council for American-Islamic relationships, warned that SB could complain of 21 teachers if they comply with the federal precedent in the formation and reporting on the pupils' immigration status.
Stephanie Tanner from the Georgia School Boards Association said that she knows nothing of the 180 school districts of the state who violated a policy that violates the State Immigration Act. She said the members were concerned about whether a mere accusation would be enough to open the door for complaints.
Senator Blake Tilley, R-Vidalia, the law's chief co-sponsor, said a government would expose herself to a lawsuit if it violated state law that has already been punished for non-compliance.
“If you do not adhere to the risk of foregoing sovereign immunity when you pass this bill,” said Tilley, adding that “she hits in the paperback.”
