Georgia Gov. Deal heads to Europe; immigration law debate heats up

On the same day Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed the immigration bill, he announced his trip to Europe to drum up business. Go figure...he's on his way to England, Germany, and Austria. A press release announcing the trip can be viewed at: http://newstaco.com/2011/05/13/georgia-gov-signs-anti-immigrant-bill-into-law/.

The trip was announced on Thursday, May 12, one day before H.B. 87, Georgia's Immigration Bill, was signed into law by Deal. Read the Southern Poverty Law Center's response at http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/georgia-bill-undermines-core-american.

While some say the bill was passed because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not been doing its job, ICE reported that they were investigating a huge heroin and cocaine operation in the Port of Savannah that week. http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1105/110512savannah.htm.

Check out the Georgia Latino politicians response to law at: http://newstaco.com/2011/05/13/georgia-gov-signs-anti-immigrant-bill-into-law/

The Georgia General Assembly Legislative website summarizes the bill which will go into affect in July:

"A BILL to be entitled an Act to enact the "Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011"; to amend the O.C.G.A., so as to provide for definitions; to provide for a private cause of action; to require private employers to use an employment eligibility verification system and provide for civil penalties; to provide for offenses; to provide for the investigation of illegal alien status; to provide authority for law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws and to provide immunity; to provide for civil and criminal penalties; to modify provisions relating to training peace officers; to establish grant funding; to provide for the verification of the immigration status of foreign nationals; to provide that counties shall receive additional funding for confinement of state inmates; to require proof that private businesses are participating in the employment eligibility verification system; to provide for identification cards; to enact the "Secure and Verifiable Identity Document Act"; to provide for related matters; and for other purposes."

Check out comments on Georgia's new immigration law at http://southcobb.patch.com/articles/cobb-county-dems-speak-out-against-new-immigration-law.