ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Time is running out to get two controversial immigration bills through Georgia's legislature.
Much of the momentum comes after the recent death of 22-year-old Laken Riley. Police said she was killed on UGA's campus and an immigrant from Venezuela has been charged in connection with her death.
HB 301 and HB 1105 target illegal immigration in Georgia. If passed, funding could be stripped from local governments that house undocumented immigrants and prison guards who fail to check an inmate's immigration status.
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“We are talking about people who have committed crimes here in Georgia and are also in the country illegally. This would ensure that our local prisons, as well as our state corrections officials, work with ICE to ensure that these people are properly deported after their crimes,” said Senator John Albers (R).
Advocates like Albers said the bills would help increase the safety of Georgia families. Critics like Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D) said the laws could tear apart immigrant families.
“It is extremely discriminatory and, as I mentioned, will lead to racial profiling,” Islam Parkes said. “I don’t think it’s a bill that’s been fully thought through.”
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The bills have passed both chambers and will be sent back to the House for a final approval vote by Thursday, the last day of the legislative session.
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