ATLANTA, April 17 (Reuters) – Gov. Sonny Perdue on Monday signed sweeping immigration legislation that gives Georgia some of the country’s toughest measures against illegal immigrants, according to supporters and critics.
The law requires verification that adults who use many federally administered services are legally resident in the United States. Employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants face sanctions, and government-contracted companies must verify employees’ immigration status.
The law also requires police to check the status of people they arrest.
Many of its provisions will not come into effect until July 1, 2007.
The bill drew protesters on both sides to the Capitol here, sparking a day-long work stoppage by thousands of immigrants.
Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund regional attorney Tisha Tallman said she is investigating potential legal challenges.
Gov. Perdue, a Republican, said at the signing: “Let me be clear – we are not, the Georgian government is not, and this law is not anti-immigrant.” We simply believe that everyone who lives in our state needs something to obey our laws.”
The law does not affect emergency medical care and educational services for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Federal courts have stated that these programs must be offered regardless of immigration status.
Exceptions were added for other services such as prenatal care and communicable disease treatment.
Outside the Capitol, a few hundred supporters of the law applauded loudly when it was announced that Mr. Perdue would sign the measure.
The crowd waved American flags and cheered as State Representative Melvin Everson, a black Republican in the House of Representatives, denounced illegal immigration as a cancer
“Last time I checked,” said Mr. Everson, “America was the land of the English, not the Spaniards.”
