ATLANTA — Republican state lawmakers in Georgia are intensifying efforts to support President Donald Trump’s immigration policies by threatening local officials who resist with lawsuits, fines, and potential jail time.
This year alone, lawmakers in over 20 states have introduced legislation aimed at dismantling sanctuary policies that restrict local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This trend highlights a growing movement to reinforce immigration enforcement at the local level.
Even states that already prohibit sanctuary policies are proposing measures to penalize mayors, council members, and other officials who fail to comply. The objective is to hold local governments accountable for not adhering to immigration laws.
“This legislation aims to empower individuals affected by local officials who disregard Georgia immigration law,” stated Republican state Senator Blake Tillery. His proposed law allows lawsuits against anyone who implements sanctuary policies and has garnered support in the Senate, moving to the House for further consideration.
Critics of the bill have expressed concerns that it could compel local law enforcement to detain immigrants longer than permissible under federal law to avoid legal repercussions.
“This legislation puts our local law enforcement at risk while they strive to ensure community safety,” remarked a Democratic state senator, highlighting the potential negative ramifications of such policies.
The push for stricter immigration measures aligns with actions taken by the current federal administration, which has initiated lawsuits against jurisdictions that adopt policies limiting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Notably, states like Illinois and local governments in Chicago are facing legal challenges for non-compliance with federal immigration law.
Georgia’s existing law compels local authorities to work with federal agencies to identify and detain undocumented immigrants or risk losing state funding and facing misdemeanor charges. The newly proposed legislation builds on this framework by permitting legal action against local entities and officials who contravene the ban on sanctuary policies.
Advocates for immigrant rights in Georgia warn that such measures may instill fear in communities already anxious about ICE enforcement actions in schools, churches, and homes.
“This legislation reflects a broader anti-immigrant agenda, seeking to gain favor by issuing policies that fail to address real issues,” stated an immigration attorney from Atlanta opposing the proposed measures.
In similar actions, Louisiana enacted a law last year mandating law enforcement to actively enforce federal immigration law. The state’s Attorney General has since filed suit against the New Orleans Sheriff’s Office for perceived non-compliance with state regulations.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has policies limiting cooperation with ICE unless serious charges, such as murder or kidnapping, are involved, a stance backed by a federal court order.
In South Dakota, the new governor signed an initial anti-sanctuary policy, though it does not impose penalties, while Florida’s recent comprehensive immigration legislation mandates legal action against local governments disregarding federal requests.
Tennessee has already restricted economic development funding for localities that violate sanctuary bans, and recent legislation there could subject officials to felony charges for enforcing such policies.
Legislation currently progressing in Wyoming aims to prevent local governments from adopting sanctuary policies and could impose significant penalties for non-compliance, including potential felony charges for local officials.
As states like New Hampshire advance bills targeting sanctuary policies, this growing legislative trend reflects a significant shift in the handling of immigration at the local level, raising concerns about the impact on communities across the nation.
