Georgia rule may affect neighbor
By Dick Cook
Staff Writer
A new Georgia law requires local jailers to report to federal officials any illegal immigrants who are booked on DUI or felony charges, but some local law enforcement officers believe the law will have little effect.
“The law requires some reporting, but the law does not say what happens to those individuals that get reported,” Dalton, Ga., Police Chief James Chadwick said Monday. “Georgia is a fairly powerful state, but they can’t dictate to the federal government what they do with the individuals.”
The Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act went into effect July 1. One section requires jailers to make “a reasonable effort” to determine whether some offenders booked into the jail are in the United States legally.
Hispanic advocates say there are concerns among immigrants about the law, and some Tennessee officials worry the law could push illegal immigrants north into their state.According to the Georgia law, if someone is illegal, “the jail shall notify” federal officials.
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