GEORGIA ARGUES TO ALLOW ITS POLICE TO ENFORCE HB87 PAPER CHECK

Attorneys from both Georgia and plaintiffs, civil rights groups, filed additional papers with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after the U.S. Supreme Court gave its decision in the Arizona case. Georgia argued in its papers that HB87 should be upheld and police checks would still be permitted by Georgia police. However, Alabama conceded that parts of its law similar to the Arizona statute were blocked by the Supreme Court decision while saying other sections should be allowed to take effect, including a provision that requires public schools to check students' citizenship status. The 11th Circuit temporary injunction over Georgia's HB87 and Alabama's HB56 is still in effect until there is a final ruling from the court. Georgia's law would authorize law enforcement officers to try to verify a suspect's immigration status during an investigation if the officer has probable cause to believe the person has committed a criminal violation. Even if upheld how, this could be struck later on by the courts if people can prove they are enforced in a way that leads to racial profiling.