The state attorney general’s office is preparing to publish a list of identification documents people may use to get public benefits under Georgia’s new illegal immigration law.
Starting Jan. 1, state and local government agencies must require people who apply for benefits -- such as food stamps, housing assistance and business licenses -- to provide at least one "secure and verifiable" document.
Government officials will also be prohibited from accepting documents that do not fit into this category for “any official purpose” that requires identification.
A spokeswoman for the attorney general's office said her agency would post a list of acceptable documents on its website by Monday as required by Georgia’s new immigration enforcement law, also called House Bill 87.
The spokeswoman declined to comment further. But HB 87 says such documents may include state or federally issued documents or ones recognized by the federal government and that are “verifiable by federal or state law enforcement, intelligence, or homeland security agencies.” Consular matriculation cards or similar ID cards issued by foreign governments will not be accepted regardless of the person’s immigration status.
Government officials who violate this law can face up to 12 months in prison and up to $1,000 in fines. This part of the law, however, does not apply to some groups of people, including those reporting crimes, police investigating crimes and people providing services to infants and children.
Civil and immigrant rights groups have sued in federal court to block this part of the law. They argued it would violate constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. A federal judge dismissed these claims last month.
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