Georgia Legislative Watch

The Senate passed a bill that would ban and penalize sanctuary cities in Georgia:

Local governments that don’t take steps to make sure they do not hire illegal immigrants or give them welfare benefits, could face a loss of state dollars, according to a bill that passed the state Senate Tuesday.

Senate Bill 20 also prohibits local governments from declaring themselves as sanctuary cities, and directs them to cooperate with federal agents in enforcing immigration laws.

Failure to do any of those requirements could result in withholding of state funding or state-administered federal funding.

Bill sponsor Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) said there are about 60 cities nationwide that have declared themselves sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants. There are none so far in Georgia and he hopes it will stay that way.

Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) spoke against the bill, which passed 37 to 9.

There are no sanctuary cities in Georgia, Jones said, therefore the bill is unnecessary. It also has no enforcement mechanism, Jones said.

Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta), said that such legislation sends “increasingly hostile messages” to the state’s international community and will hurt the economy.

SB 20 now heads to the House.