By KATE BRUMBACK
ATLANTA – Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, calling it “a rather historic moment,” on Friday signed a bill that cracks down on illegal immigration in the state by increasing some enforcement powers and requiring many employers to check the immigration status of new hires.
“While I believe immigration is an issue that can ideally be identified and addressed – and should be addressed- at the federal level, this legislation I believe is a responsible step forward in the absence of federal action,” Deal told reporters who crowded elbow-to-elbow into his office for the signing.
The new law – the subject of heated debate in the Legislature – shares some similarities to a controversial law enacted last year in Arizona and another enacted this year in Utah. Part or all of those two laws have been blocked by federal judges, and opponents have said they’ll sue to try to block Georgia’s law.
It authorizes law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of certain suspects and to detain them if they are in the country illegally. It penalizes people who knowingly transport or harbor illegal immigrants and makes it a felony to present false documents or information when applying for a job.