Local officials to train Monday on Georgia's new immigration law

Parts of Georgia’s new immigration law are tied up in federal court. But other provisions took effect on July 1, including some aimed directly at state and local government officials. For example, Gov. Nathan Deal, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston this month appointed a seven-member panel to investigate complaints about local and state government officials not enforcing state laws related to immigration.

The Immigration Enforcement Review Board stems from the state’s new law, also called House Bill 87. The panel will have the power to investigate complaints, hold hearings, subpoena documents, adopt regulations and hand out punishment. That punishment could include loss of state funding for government agencies and fines up to $5,000 for officials who "knowingly" violate the laws.

Also under the new immigration measure, government officials who violate state laws requiring cities, counties and state government agencies to use the federal E-Verify work authorization program could face fines up to $10,000 and removal from office.

And starting Jan. 1, state and local government agencies must start requiring people who apply for public benefits -- such as Medicaid, housing assistance and business and gaming licenses -- to provide at least one "secure and verifiable" document.

Last month, the state attorney general's office published a two-page list of acceptable documents. That list includes U.S. and foreign passports; U.S. military identification cards; state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards; tribal identification cards; and federally issued permanent resident cards. Consular matriculation cards will not be accepted.