Sanctuary Cities Outlawed

Gov. Sonny Perdue has signed a bill that outlaws sanctuary cities - where officials are prohibited from reporting illegal immigrants. Supporters of the new law say that while there are no sanctuary cities in Georgia, there are some 60 across the country. They say the law is a pre-emptive strike to make sure none crop up in the state. It would withhold state funding from any local government that adopts a sanctuary policy. Critics have called the measure a solution for a problem that doesn't exist and said it sends an increasingly hostile message to the international community.

(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)