Judge dismisses Georgia immigration law challenge

Friday, July 19, 2013

ATLANTA - A federal judge has dismissed the constitutional challenge to Georgia's 2011 immigration law.

The order from U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Thrash means Georgia law enforcement agencies can continue implementing the law's provision allowing authorities to ask a person to prove legal status.

In December, the judge had already lifted a preliminary block and allowed law enforcement to start enforcing the so-called "show me your papers" provision.

The order does not prevent future lawsuits by a person who might claim an unconstitutional search if they are detained by authorities. But Thrash cited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a similar Arizona law that justices said was not on its face unconstitutional.

A lawyer who filed the suit said the organizations will monitor how Georgia carries out the law.