Georgia’s governor on Wednesday finalized a bill that would require prison guards in the state to check inmates’ immigration status and cooperate with federal immigration officials, rather than protecting people who are in the U.S. illegally. Acknowledged.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, and most provisions went into effect immediately.
According to the Associated Press, Kemp also signed another law requiring cash bail for an additional 30 crimes, allowing citizens and charitable bail funds to make cash bail annually unless they meet the requirements to become a bail bond company. Restricted posting cash bail for more than three people. The bail law will come into effect on July 1st.
The Republican governor said immigration legislation “became one of our top priorities following the senseless death of Laken Riley at the hands of an illegal immigrant who had already been arrested after crossing the border.” said.
A Georgia immigration bill that would force law enforcement to cooperate with federal agents will be submitted to the government.kemp
University of Georgia murder suspect Jose Ybarra lived within a five-minute walk of the scene where he allegedly killed 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on February 22nd. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital/Laken Riley/Jose Ibarra)
Jose Ibarra was arrested in February on charges of murder and assault in the death of Laken Riley, 22, a nursing student at the University of Georgia.
Ibarra, 26, entered the country illegally in 2022, according to immigration authorities. It is not clear whether the suspect has applied for asylum.
“If you enter our country illegally and continue to commit additional crimes in our communities, we will not allow your crimes to go unchecked,” Kemp said.
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Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp speaks at an event hosted by radio host Erick Erickson on August 18, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
As the bill makes its way through the state Legislature, Democrats worry that it could turn law enforcement officers into immigration police, making communities less willing to work with police and report crimes. expressed concern.
Opponents also pointed to research suggesting immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.
Under this law, if local governments do not cooperate, they will be denied state funding.
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Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill that would require prison guards in the state to check inmates’ immigration status and cooperate with federal immigration officials, rather than protect people who are in the U.S. illegally. . (St. Petersburg)
Prisons will also be required to apply for an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow local guards to assist in immigration law enforcement. Local wardens can assist with enforcement but cannot make immigration-specific arrests outside of prisons.
As for changes to cash bail, the Republican-backed bill would require offenders to post bail to keep them locked up.
The bill also takes away an initiative championed by former Republican Gov. Nathan Deal in 2018 that allows judges to release most people charged with misdemeanors without bail.
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Advocates said judges still have discretion to set exceptionally low bail amounts. Another part of the 2018 reform that requires judges to consider someone’s ability to pay will remain law.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
