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Is Georgia the New Arizona?

By: Humera Subhani

April 2011

House Bill 87, which has been likened to the Arizona immigration law, was passed 113-56 and goes to the state Senate. Under the measure, Georgia companies would be required to use E-Verify, a federal database, to check the documentation of current and prospective employees. That database had been created by Congress as a voluntary, discretionary resource.

The bill criminalizes the transportation of illegal immigrants and allows law enforcement officials to check the legal status of people in custody in certain situations. Opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union, said the bill would encourage racial profiling and would harm the state's economy, particularly the sizable agricultural industry. About 200 people outside the state Capitol protested against the legislation, calling on Gov. Nathan Deal to veto it if it gets to his desk.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Matt Ramsey, a Peachtree City Republican.

DUI Bill Passes State Senate

The Georgia state Senate has also voted to pass a bill that would make driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs a felony for illegal immigrants. The bill passed by a vote of 35 to 18, largely along party lines. Democrats tried unsuccessfully to table the legislation before the vote. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

"This targets an offense by someone who is already showing a disregard for the law by being in the country illegally," said the bill's sponsor, state Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick. He added that DUI "carries particular risk to law-abiding citizens in the state."

In Georgia, DUI is a misdemeanor on the first two convictions, a high and aggravated misdemeanor on the third conviction and a felony on the fourth and subsequent convictions. Ligon's bill would make it felony on the first conviction for illegal immigrants only.

Georgia would be the first state to pass such a statute. Many believe that this violates the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution.

Limited Operations at U.S. Consulate, Mumbai

The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, India, is experiencing a temporary reduction in capacity, as of March 3, 2011. The condition of the building has made it necessary to close several interview windows at the Consulate, thus limiting the volume of applicants who can be interviewed each day. As a result, the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai will no longer be interviewing applicants for either H or L visas.

Individuals who have already made appointments for H or L visa interviews may keep those appointments. The Consulate will honor the interview dates and timings already confirmed. The change simply means that there will not be any new H or L appointments scheduled. Individuals applying for H or L visas within India may make appointments at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

The United States is in the process of constructing a new building for the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, to replace the current one.

VISA PREFERENCE NUMBERS FOR APRIL 2011

FAMILY India Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st 01May04 01May04

2A 01Apr07 01Apr07

2B 15Apr03 15Apr03

3rd 15Mar01 01Mar01

4th 01Feb00 01Feb00

EMPLOYMENT India Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st Current Current

2nd 08May06 Current

3rd 08Apr02 22Jul05

Other 08Apr02 22Jul03

4th Current Current