ATLANTA — In the recent legislative session, Georgia lawmakers approved two bills related to immigration, sparking worries within the law enforcement community regarding enforcement procedures.
While the concerns do not revolve around the content of the bills themselves, law enforcement agencies are apprehensive about the practicalities of enforcing them.
Speaking directly with the legislators behind House Bill 301 (HB301) and House Bill 11-05 (HB 1105), it's evident that although both bills have garnered overall support, HB 1105, in particular, has raised red flags regarding its potential impact on law enforcement operations.
"This is about criminals, and I want to say that a few times... criminals," stated a passionate lawmaker during discussions on HB 1105.
The bill, which passed after debate in the chamber, mandates that police and sheriff's departments identify undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities and detain them for deportation by federal immigration authorities.
Rep. Jesse Petrea (R-166), who introduced HB 1105 in January, emphasized the necessity of enhanced cooperation between state and federal officials. He explained that the legislation aims to streamline this cooperation and increase transparency in the process.
"Jail reports are now going to include what kind of responses have come back from ICE. So hopefully, there's going to be more transparency into the degree with which ICE is doing their job or not," Petrea said.
However, cooperation with federal agencies is a significant concern for both Petrea and Terry Norris, the executive director of the Georgia Sheriff's Association. They highlighted the burden placed on law enforcement agencies and the additional costs associated with quarterly record-keeping.
While HB 301, which allows citizens to sue municipalities believed to be in violation of state immigration laws, has drawn less concern, Petrea emphasized the need to address the financial burdens of HB 11-05 in the next legislative session.
Terry Norris of the Georgia Sheriff's Association expressed support for HB 11-05 while acknowledging the concerns raised by agencies statewide regarding the associated record-keeping costs. He assured that discussions with Petrea are ongoing to address these issues.
As Georgia prepares to implement these new immigration laws, the spotlight remains on the collaborative efforts between state and federal entities, as well as the practical implications for law enforcement agencies statewide.