In a late-night decision, Georgia's Senate has just passed an Arizona-style law by a 37 to 19 vote.
Despite pressure from Georgia's agricultural industry -- the state's oldest and largest -- the House had given final approval to HB 37 less than two hours before its session expired by a vote of 112 to 59. And Vidalia Onion Season opens on Monday.
The Senate amended and then adopted the bill, which now goes to Governor Nathan Deal (Rep), who campaigned last year on enacting tough immigration laws, but has yet to take a public position on this bill.
As reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
Like Arizona’s laws -- which are fighting for survival in federal court -- House Bill 87 creates new requirements for many Georgia businesses to ensure new hires are eligible to work in the United States and empowers police to investigate the immigration status of certain suspects.
Of considerable concern are requirements for business owners to use the E-Verify program to determine whether new hires are eligible to work in the United States; businesses with 10 or fewer employees are exempted.
Proponents of tougher immigration laws have long complained illegal immigrants are burdening the state’s public schools, jails and hospitals.
Georgia’s HB 87 would also:
• Empower local and state police to arrest illegal immigrants and transport them to state and federal jails;
• Punish people who use fake identification to get a job in Georgia with up to 15 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines;
• Penalize people who – while committing another crime -- knowingly transport or harbor illegal immigrants or encourages them to come to Georgia. First-time offenders would face imprisonment for up to 12 months and up to $1,000 in fines;
• Establish a seven-member Immigration Enforcement Review Board to investigate complaints about local and state government officials not enforcing state immigration-related laws;
• Directs the state Agriculture Department to study the possibility of creating Georgia’s own guest worker program. Some Georgia employers have complained the federal government’s guest worker program is too burdensome and expensive.