Georgia state legislators have recently passed a stringent immigration enforcement bill following the tragic and horrific killing of nursing student Laken Riley, reportedly at the hands of a Venezuelan migrant.
According to CNN, the bill is awaiting the approval of Republican Governor Brian Kemp.
“Georgia Senate Republicans have taken a proactive approach to safeguarding our state from criminal illegal immigrants, even as Joe Biden and his liberal allies neglect their duty to protect our citizens and secure the southern border,” stated Peach State GOP senators on X.
The post made it clear that Georgia will not tolerate sanctuary cities.
On Thursday, the state made a decision to follow through with the vote that took place on March 7 in the GOP-led US House of Representatives. The vote was in favor of the federal Laken Riley Act, which, unfortunately, has not made much progress in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
The federal measure mandates that immigration enforcement agents apprehend migrants who enter the country illegally and detain them for deportation if they engage in criminal activities.
As a result of this policy, asylum seekers would be required to wait for immigration hearings on the Mexican side of the US southern border instead of being allowed to remain in the country, where many have sought refuge in cities such as New York.
The Georgia bill, which is anticipated to receive Kemp’s support, mandates that state and local law enforcement ascertain the immigration status of individuals over the age of 18 who have been arrested, detained in jail, or if there is reasonable suspicion that they have engaged in criminal activities.
In the aftermath of Riley’s tragic murder on the University of Georgia campus, these two pieces of legislation have been introduced.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, aged 26, was arrested for a gruesome attack and is currently facing murder charges. Immigration officials have stated that Ibarra entered the country illegally.
According to officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Ibarra arrived in the United States through El Paso, Texas, in September 2022. After spending a short period of time in New York City, he eventually moved in with his brother in Georgia.
Riley attended the University of Georgia before transferring to the nearby Augusta University.
The state bill came into existence as a direct response to the widely publicized case.
The measure advanced to the governor’s desk after receiving a 99-75 vote in the state house, following its earlier passage in the state Senate by a vote of 34-19.
According to a state Senate Democrat who opposed the bill, they described it as “a xenophobic measure.”
Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes expressed her concern about the bill, highlighting that it could potentially lead to racial profiling of immigrant communities. She firmly believes that the proposed legislation does not contribute to the safety of Georgians. As a staunch advocate for the rights of immigrant communities, she is committed to fighting for their protection.
