The architect of Arizona’s tough new law targeting illegal immigration has endorsed similar legislation in Georgia.
Arizona Republican Senate President Russell Pearce called Georgia’s House Bill 87 a “well-written, well thought-out piece of badly needed state enforcement legislation.”
“Having seen the positive effects of enforcement here in Arizona, I can assure all concerned that HB 87 will serve to greatly reduce the illegal population in Georgia, save budget dollars and protect jobs for American workers in that great state,” Pearce said in a statement released Tuesday.
Like Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070, Georgia’s legislation would empower police to question certain suspects about their immigration status and punish those who harbor or transport illegal immigrants or encourage them to come to the state. A federal judge put some of the most controversial provisions of Arizona’s law on hold last year after the Obama administration argued they are pre-empted by federal law. Arizona is appealing that decision.
Sponsored by Republican Rep. Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City, HB 87 passed Georgia’s House this month. It has not yet been scheduled for a Senate committee hearing. And on Monday, Georgia House Republicans gutted a similar Senate bill and filled it with language from HB 87.
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