Georgia immigration law is in for a change, if Republican Dusty Hightower's recently submitted bill survives the state's legislative circuit. Hightower hopes to alleviate unnecessary workload within the state government's administrative offices, a complaint that secretary of State Brian Kemp has raised concerning a 2011 immigration law that demands documentation of citizenship for public benefits, according to a Fox News Latino report.
Hightower notes, "Almost half a million Georgia professionals have had to jump through additional hoops to work here in Georgia."
Should the bill become law, those with "secure and verifiable" documentation will only be required to submit their materials once when they attempt to secure separate benefits from an agency that has their proof of citizenship on record. Meanwhile, the law allows for state beneficiaries to submit their applications within nine months before the deadline by mail, online, or in person.
"In these trying times, it is important that all of our elected leaders look for ways to cut red tape and get Georgia to work," adds the politician.
In 2011, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal approved an initiative to give state police teeth against illegal residents and granted officers free reign to question suspects on their immigration status.
"Illegal immigration is a complex and troublesome issue, and no state alone can fix it. We will continue to have a broken system until we have a federal solution. In the meantime, states must act to defend their taxpayers," said Deal.
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