(The Center Square) – Sovereign immunity for Georgia government and elected officials that adopt and back sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants would be removed if a bill passed by the state Senate becomes law.
Senate Bill 21’s passage, 33-18, came after a debate on how it could harm elected officials and state employees.
“This bill creates a new way to go after our teachers, our school districts, our public servants, all under the false pretense of enforcing laws that are already on the books,” said Nabilah Islam Parkes, D-Duluth. “There is no sanctuary city in Georgia, not a single one. But SB21 pretends that there is a problem where none exist.”
Atlanta and four counties, DeKalb, Douglas, Columbia and Athens-Clarke, are all listed as sanctuaries by the Center for Immigration Studies, an American anti-immigration think tank.
Sponsoring Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, said the bill adds no additional law related to immigration.
“All Senate Bill 21 says is if you want to be a cowboy, cavalier, and run a press release out saying you don’t want to abide by Georgia law or Georgia law doesn’t apply in your city, state or town, that you run the risk or their being harm caused by you not following Georgia law and you now hold responsibility for that,” Tillery said.
Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill in January that creates a new Class E felony for elected officials who support sanctuary cities. Georgia’s Senate Bill 21 does not include any penalties outside of making officials open to lawsuits.
“Today, the Senate took a significant step toward increasing security for our local communities and all of Georgia,” Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said after the bill’s passage. “If you enter our country illegally, you are breaking the law, period. While President Donald Trump fights on the national level to secure our borders and keep illegal immigrants off the streets, we will do the same in Georgia.”
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.