Georgia Set To Follow In Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Footsteps

Georgia is about to step into Arizona’s SB 1070 shoes, as Governor Nathan Deal says he’ll sign legislation passed by that state’s legislature that is plainly anti-immigrant. The Associated Press reports:

Gov. Nathan Deal says he’ll sign a tough immigration measure passed by the Georgia Legislature that includes elements similar to a contentious law enacted in Arizona last year.

In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Deal said the legislation “sends a signal that the citizens of our state believe the rule of law in important…”

Among other provisions, it authorizes law enforcement officers to verify the immigration status of certain criminal suspects

This is lame for many reasons, principal of which is that Arizona’s law has already cost that state millions in legal fees and was struck down recently by a federal appeals court. The next step would be for the case to head to the Supreme Court, which would have a choice to decide to hear the case or not.

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD