House of Representatives passes Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act and goes to Senate

SAVANNAH, Georgia (WTOC) – A bill to control illegal immigration in the state of Georgia has passed the House of Representatives.

The bill was introduced a year ago, but has received widespread attention in recent weeks following the death of a woman on the University of Georgia campus.

The bill, called the Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act, would impose penalties on prison guards, such as sheriffs, who fail to report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement that an inmate is in the country illegally.

There are already laws requiring sheriffs to report such incidents, but Assemblyman Jesse Petrea, who introduced the bill, says it doesn't always happen when it should.

The bill would also require law enforcement to honor ICE warrants for people already in custody.

You may remember that a few weeks ago, nursing student Laken Riley was killed on the campus of the University of Georgia by a man who was in the country illegally.

Petrea says this bill, introduced before Riley's death, is intended to prevent similar situations.

“Everyone recognizes that this is in the interest of public safety. So if individuals do their job of tracking down those who they believe are a danger to society and are here illegally, then that will definitely help prevent situations like the one at Laken Riley. No question about it,” said Rep. Petrea.

With regard to arrests, the bill contains some controversial wording.

The bill states that law enforcement officers, if authorized under federal law, may arrest any person for violating federal immigration law.

WTOC asked Petrea about this. He said this section refers to the detention of people who are already in prison and he will look into the language of the bill more closely to clear up any misunderstandings.

The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and is now before the Senate for consideration.

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