Group Urges Expanded Tuition Aid

Georgia and three other states' laws against college tuition aid for illegal immigrants has prompted support for the idea. The College Board, made up of 5,000 schools and best known for its SAT college admission tests, released a report today. It cites a need for federal legislation that would open up in-state college tuition, financial aid and legal status to many illegal immigrants in the U.S. At least four states - Georgia, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona - prohibit illegal immigrants from paying in-state tuition rates.

(Associated Press)

Ga. Senate Outlaws Sanctuary Cities

The Georgia Senate has voted to outlaw sanctuary cities - where officials are prohibited from reporting illegal immigrants.

The bill's sponsor Sen. Chip Pearson, a Dawsonville Republican, said Tuesday that while there are no sanctuary cities in Georgia, there are some 60 across the country. Pearson says several more are in the works and the bill is a pre-emptive strike to make sure none crop up in the state.

The measure drew criticism from some Democrats.

State Sen. Emanuel Jones of Decatur, called it a bill "in search of a problem." State Sen. Nan Orrock, of Atlanta, said it sends "an increasingly hostile message to the international community."

The bill passed 37-9.

S.B. 20: www.legis.ga.gov

(AP)

Ex-deputy and wife admit to nanny servitude

An ex-deputy of Forsyth county and his wife pleaded guilty to keeping an illegal immigrant as an unpaid nanny in their home.

Prosecutors say Russell and Malika Garrett of Woodstock harbored an Indian woman from February 2003 to June 2005. She was first underpaid and then not paid at all. The couple said she could have left at any time but acknowledged telling her she would be deported and jailed.

She finally escaped with help from a neighbor.

The Garretts will be sentenced on April 22, 2009. Russell Garrett faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Malika Garrett could get a maximum of 15 years.

(Associated Press)

GA, Carolinas lead in deportations

Federal officials say there was a 63 percent increase in illegal immigrants deported from Georgia and the Carolinas in the 12 months ending in October. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Atlanta Field Office of Detention and Removal carried out a record 17,955 deportation orders, compared with 11,006 the previous year. The agency counted them Thursday among more than 40,000 individuals processed in the three states during the 2008 fiscal year. With help from state and local authorities, ICE says it identified 9,182 criminal aliens who were incarcerated. In addition, it began removal proceedings against 7,000 criminals in state, local and federal jails and prisons, an increase from 3,722 in 2007.

(Associated Press)

Teen sues Atlanta police over beating

A 17-year-old illegal immigrant is suing the city of Atlanta for an alleged beating. The teen's lawyer, Erik Meder, said the federal lawsuit was filed anonymously both because the boy is a minor and because he fears retribution from the police department. The suit says the accused officer was responding to a call about a dispute over a $5 entry fee to an adult entertainment establishment in Atlanta. The suit alleges the officer severely beat the teen and then drove him to a parking lot and left him there.

(Associated Press)