HB 37
private postsecondary institutions in this state shall not adopt sanctuary policies; to provide for penalties for violations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Goals of House Bill 37
According to an interview with Representative Terry England, the goal of the legislative bill is to ensure that private post-secondary institutions in the state of Georgia are complying the Federal law and immigration laws.
STATE POLICY ANALYSIS
Consensus OR Conflicting Support of Bill
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There is certainly conflicting support of HB 37. The bill won in the House with 112 Yeas and 57 Nays, with mostly Republicans voting in favor of the bill. The bill also won in the Senate with 37 Yeas and 16 Nays Also with mostly Republicans in favor of the bill. Several private post-secondary institutions were against the bill, including Emory University and Agnes Scott College. Both schools are not identified as "sanctuary campuses," however admit DACA students and support them being on campus. Most organization, such as the Latin American Association already support undocumented immigrants and continue to support them through this process.
Service or benefits of House Bill 37
HB 37 will eliminate services and benefits to undocumented immigrants. The passing of this bill will make it more difficult for undocumented students, including DACA students, to obtain a post-secondary education. It also makes it difficult for community organization to support undocumented students due further limitation on college admissions for undocumented students.
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HB 37 supports the policing of undocumented immigrants, allowing law enforcement to request information if a subpoena is provided. Legislation similar to this bill has made it impossible for DACA students to attend many public post-secondary institutions and those that do accept DACA students require them to pay out of state tuition.
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It is predicted that this bill will alleviate economic strain, however most undocumented immigrants pay taxes and are contributing members of the U.S.
Unintended Consequences
Consequences of the HB 37 are seemingly intended. One of the purposes of the bill is to support Federal law which seeks to increase national security by eliminating the presences of undocumented immigrants in the United States. As a result, the state of Georgia is doing the same. Although intended, a consequence is a weaker economy as undocumented young adults will not be able to achieve a post-secondary degree and return to their home state to work and contributing to the economy. Immigrant families will continue to have no more than high school educations and the level of poverty will rise. Unintended consequences include returning undocumented immigrants to their home countries where they are forced to assimilate after not living there for many years, broken up families, and unsolved crimes due to individuals not reporting crime from fear of deportation should law enforcement get involved.