Some Ga. businesses fear impact of immigration law
ATLANTA (AP) — Some Georgia business owners and farmers say they could have a harder time finding workers because of a bill passed by lawmakers to crack down on illegal immigration — among the toughest in the nation.
It would require employers to use a federal database to ensure new hires are in the country legally. It also would allow law enforcement to check the status of people being investigated, even during a traffic stop, if they don’t have an acceptable form of identification.
Business owners say the measure could make non-citizen workers reluctant to apply for jobs and make hiring new employees more expensive. Civil liberties groups have also said it could lead to racial profiling.
The bill’s sponsor has dismissed those concerns.
Gov. Nathan Deal has pledged to sign the bill.