Georgia’s new law requires sheriff’s office cooperation with immigration after the death of a UGA student

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. (WGXA) – A controversial bill from the House of Representatives has been passed into law. House Bill 1105, now signed into law, would require sheriffs to cooperate with federal authorities when dealing with suspected illegal immigrants.

This action follows the tragic death of a UGA nursing student in February, allegedly caused by someone who was in the country illegally.

While this new law could impact local law enforcement, some, like Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran, don’t think it will significantly change their jobs.

Sheriff Cochran expressed his opinion: “I don’t see it being much different than what we’ve done before.” He assured that his office will follow the law, meaning it will help enforce immigration laws by checking the immigration status of detainees.

Otherwise, sheriffs and prison guards risk punishment. Cochran emphasized that his department has always cooperated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and will continue to do so.

However, Cochran remains concerned about the timeliness of federal authorities processing arrest warrants for illegal immigrants. He hopes they will arrest the detainees quickly to prevent the detention centers from becoming overrun.

Despite potential challenges, Cochran sees the bill as an opportunity to improve law enforcement. He believes that while the country could implement more policies, the fundamental goal is public safety.

On the other hand, the director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute opposes the bill, citing concerns about unfunded mandates and the misappropriation of local resources. They argue that HB 1105 imposes financial burdens on local governments without adequately supporting them.

Now the House bill must be signed by the governor before it can fully go into effect.