Georgia lawmakers advance bills targeting immigrant-friendly policies

ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Senate on Thursday pushed through bills aimed at forcing local governments to help deport immigrants instead of sheltering them, part of a continuing political response to the killing of a nursing student on the University of Georgia campus allegedly by a Venezuelan man.

The Senate voted 34-18 for House Bill 301, which would punish cities and counties that supporters say are illegally harboring immigrants in the country without permission by cutting off most state aid to the local government and removing elected officials from office. Senators also voted 34-19 for House Bill 1105, which is aimed at compelling jailers to check the immigration status of inmates. Majority Republicans all voted in favor and minority Democrats all voted against.

“This is a public safety issue, make no mistake, and it deals with criminals,” said state Sen. John Albers, a Roswell Republican.

The measures return to the House for more debate.

Studies show immigrants are less likely than native-born Americans to commit crimes. But Republicans have targeted those in jail since Jose Ibarra was arrested last month on murder and assault charges in the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley. Immigration authorities say Ibarra, 26, unlawfully crossed into the United States in 2022. It is unclear whether he has applied for asylum.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Georgia Senate lawmakers give final passage to bill to loosen health permit rules </bsp-custom-headline>