Bill targets immunity for local officials in sanctuary cities

(The Center Square) – A bill that would remove legal immunity from elected officials in sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with immigration officials is moving through the Georgia Senate.

Senate Bill 21, sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, also requires jails to hold inmates arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Sanctuary cities allow too many undocumented immigrants into the US and threaten our national and state security,” Tillery said. “By discouraging illegal aliens from finding refuge in Georgia, we do our part in mitigating the crisis at the southern border.”

The bill, currently in the Senate Public Safety Committee, would open up elected officials to civil lawsuits over illegal immigration.

A 2009 law passed by Georgia lawmakers bans sanctuary cities. Lawmakers added more teeth to the ban in 2024 with House Bill 1105. Local governments that provide sanctuary for illegal immigrants could lose state funding, and elected officials could face misdemeanor charges for not enforcing Georgia’s immigration laws as part of the bill signed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

- Advertisement -

The Tennessee General Assembly is currently debating a law that would charge elected officials with a felony for not following federal and state immigration policies.

One Republican lawmaker questioned the provision in a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee held Tuesday. Elizabeth Insogna, a legislative attorney for the Tennessee General Assembly, told the panel the bill is “constitutionally suspect.”

The legislation is part of a package that would also create the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division to work with the Trump administration.

Lawmakers are debating immigration, school choice and hurricane relief during a special session being held this week.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Sea-Tac airport broke its passenger volume record in 2024

(The Center Square) – Passenger levels at Seattle-Tacoma International...

No survivors expected in American Airlines, Army helicopter collision

(The Center Square) – There appear to be no...

WATCH: Illinois Republicans sue over rigged legislative maps

(The Center Square) – A lawsuit has been filed...

More than 1.5M enroll in Georgia health care exchange

(The Center Square) – More than 1.5 million Georgians...

Students still haven’t recovered from COVID learning losses

(The Center Square) – Despite slight progress in mathematics,...

Immigration bill passes Senate; school choice vote coming today

(The Center Square) – The Tennessee Senate voted 26-7...

WATCH: Trump Administration signals focus on spending cuts

At a press briefing this week, White House Press...

Wisconsin 4th grade reading scores drop, 8th grade math 3rd in nation

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s fourth-grade test scores showed...

More like this
Related

Sea-Tac airport broke its passenger volume record in 2024

(The Center Square) – Passenger levels at Seattle-Tacoma International...

No survivors expected in American Airlines, Army helicopter collision

(The Center Square) – There appear to be no...

WATCH: Illinois Republicans sue over rigged legislative maps

(The Center Square) – A lawsuit has been filed...

More than 1.5M enroll in Georgia health care exchange

(The Center Square) – More than 1.5 million Georgians...