Law Enforcement to Cooperate with ICE
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 9, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
On February 21st, Senator Jesse Stone introduced S.B. 452 and it passed the Senate by a vote of 36-17 on February 26th. It requires several actions by law enforcement to strengthen state laws concerning the status of illegal aliens suspected of criminal offenses in Georgia.
Georgia law on the subject, currently, allows law enforcement to identify and verify the status of suspected criminals in the U.S. But, if S.B. 452 passes, various law enforcement officials would be required to notify and transfer all information collected in their investigation to the prosecuting attorney that has jurisdiction over the crime.
If the suspect is an illegal alien and is found guilty of a felony, misdemeanor, or ordinance, the sentencing court would be required to determine at the time of sentencing whether the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) has placed a detainer on the convicted illegal alien. If there is a detainer, several other levels of law enforcement must cooperate, including the Department of Corrections, the sheriff or local jailor, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Community Supervision.
Also, a convicted illegal alien could not be given probation if the court learns that the person would be legally subject to deportation during a probation period. The convicted illegal alien could not be issued bond, but would be detained, arrested, and transported as authorized by state and federal law.The Board of Pardons and Paroles may deny parole if the state’s purpose would be better served to keep the illegal alien in custody.
Call Representative Alan Powell at 404 463-3793 and ask him to pass S.B. 452 out of his Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
Years ago, we wouldn’t have needed H.B. 936 because school didn’t begin until the Monday after Labor Day, but that’s not the case now. H.B. 936, introduced February 15th by Representative Stephens, would simply adjust the approximate beginning date of the school year.
His bill would amend current law with this sentence: “No local board of education shall adopt a school year calendar that commences prior to the third week of August; provided, however, that this shall not apply to schools that have year-round operation in accordance with the [Georgia Code].”
Unfortunately, the time to start school will not change, because the bill died in committee without a hearing. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent