Johnny
14 years ago
* Employers told to check new workers' immigration status
* Federal authorities typically enforce immigration laws
By David Beasley
ATLANTA, May 13 (Reuters) - Georgia's Republican governor signed on Friday a tough new state law cracking down on illegal immigrants that is similar to one enacted in Arizona last year, handing new powers to police in the southern U.S. state.
The law authorizes police in Georgia to investigate the immigration status of criminal suspects they think may be in the country illegally. It also requires many private employers to check the immigration status of newly hired workers on a federal database called E-Verify. [ID:nN15248282]
Enforcement of U.S. immigration laws traditionally is handled by federal, not state, authorities. The Georgia measure is the latest to gain favor among Republicans at the state level who accuse Democratic President Barack Obama and the federal government of failing to stem illegal immigration.
Governor Nathan Deal said the measure, passed by Georgia's Republican-controlled legislature, will take the burden off Georgia's schools, hospitals and prisons by reducing the number of illegal immigrants in the state.
"This legislation is a responsible step forward in the absence of federal action," Deal said during a signing ceremony.
http://af.reuters.com/article/cameroonNews/idAFN1322806320110513?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0