Here are links to two of the articles:
Georgia lawmakers proposed legislation with components similar to those REJECTED by Arizona this session. While I have not read the Arizona bills, I am familiar with those in Georgia.
One of the (Arizona) rejected bills would have required hospitals to contact federal immigration officials or local law enforcement if people being treated lack insurance and can't demonstrate legal status.
Also defeated was a bill to require schools to file reports on enrollments of illegal immigrant students.Georgia HB296, if passed would require hospitals determine who is "legal" vs "illegal" and document the numbers for the State of Georgia. So far there is no mention of insured vs uninsured. This same bill requires Georgia schools tabulate numbers of "illegal" students. Logically in order to comply with the law if passed, both entities would need identifying records to support their data.
The fifth bill was a sweeping measure sponsored by Pearce. It would have made it a crime for illegal immigrants to drive in Arizona. It also had provisions on registering vehicles, workplace hiring and various public benefits. It would ban illegal immigrants from attending Arizona's public universities and community colleges. The state does not now have a ban but it does require illegal immigrants to pay higher, non-resident tuition rates.
Georgia barred undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses several years ago. Hence they are unable to register vehicles and obtain license plates/tags. Until that point they could be tested for a driver's license, register vehicles and buy vehicle insurance. People still drive, but thanks to that law change, promoted by the Dustin Inman Society, undocumented drivers are no longer tested or insured. Now, if an accident occurs, the licensed driver's "uninsured motorist" coverage must be utilized. That change also generated an increase in arrests for Driving with No Valid License thereby taking valuable law enforcement, corrections and court time.
Georgia barred undocumented students from five public universities and began charging out-of-state tuition at the remaining technical colleges, colleges and universities in 2010. Georgia's HB59 seeks to bar them from ALL Georgia public colleges and universities, based in part on the theory that their presence MIGHT take the seat of a Georgia citizen. As a result, a straight A undocumented student can not attend college but a C minus student can. Yet those here on Student Visas can attend and pay out-of-state tuition, though their families do not pay taxes here as do undocumented students. Additionally, out of state tuition pays MORE than the cost of education hence it MAKES money for the state university system and thereby reduces costs to citizens/taxpayers.
Pearce's bill also would have required eviction of public housing tenants who let illegal immigrants live with them and make applicants for vehicle titles and registration prove they are in the country legally.
Georgia's HB87 would create a new law with multiple NEW CRIMINAL OFFENSES and penalties, eviction isn't one of them.
- Even licensed drivers, could be arrested, jailed, fined AND have the vehicle seized for having an undocumented adult passenger in a vehicle under the "transporting" provision. As a result a "mixed status family" would lose their vehicle. Mom could be arrested, jailed and fined for driving Dad to the store. ICE could be contacted and Dad sent to federal detention. One can assume that unless there is a documented family member who could immediately pick up the children, that they would be sent to foster care.
- Under the "Sheltering" section providing housing to an undocumented person would be a crime, even for married mixed status couples. So, a husband or wife can be arrested, jailed and fined for providing "shelter" and food to their undocumented spouse - the parent of their children. Same applies to roommate situations. If this becomes law it might be hard to find apartment property managers and leasing agents as it could land them in prison.
Maybe eviction wasn't included as Georgia lawmakers prefer costly corrections systems remedies. Georgia has by far the highest number of people under the jurisdiction of the corrections system: 1 in 13 is either an inmate in jail or prison or on parole or probation. Nationwide the figure is 1 in 31 according to the Pew Center. (See page 7 for a US map of rates in each state)
The Corrections Corporation of American has multiple private prisons in Georgia. It's big business.
Majority (Arizona) Republicans were split in their votes on the defeated bills, which included two measures intended to force a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against automatic citizenship for U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants.The good news is Georgia has yet to introduce bills regarding citizenship for those born here to undocumented parents; the bad news is - it's being discussed.
That's a great law if implemented but look like this law have much more complex things than any other... means enforce officers may face some anger, respect as well some legal court issues while implementing this law.
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