PDF: Senate Bill 385WHAT DOES THE BILL SAY?Georgia SB385: Counties that can demonstrate constant use of the federal Department of Homeland Security’s Secure Communities initiative, the 287 (g) or any similar replacement federal program shall receive 110 percent and 120 percent, respectively, of the usual rate paid to counties that don’t use such programs if the General Assembly appropriates the funds in the budget for the department.* Secure Communities: A program that uses improved technology, data analysis and information sharing to better identify criminal illegal immigrants.* 287(g): It cross-designates local officers to enforce immigration law as authorized through section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
A bill that would pay local governments if they help identify illegal immigrants wouldn’t be funded until at least mid-2011 if it passes, its sponsor said.
Georgia Senate Bill 385, which passed the Senate last week, would give a 20 percent bonus to local governments that use the federal 287(g) program and pay a 10 percent bonus to those joining the Secure Communities program.
Under the 287(g) program, trained deputies can check the legal status of anybody at a jail instead of first contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Secure Communities is a program ICE uses to work with local governments to identify and deport illegal immigrants.
The extra money is not directly related to illegal immigrants, but it pays counties and cities a bonus on what Georgia usually pays them to house state prisoners in their jails. To get the extra money, they must be signed up for 287(g) and Secure Communities.