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GA Agencies Fail to Comply to Immigration Act

472 views · Published 21 September 2012 · 2:19 · Indexed 10 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by Alyssa SpiratoSome local Georgia cities could be cut off from state funding, if they fail to comply with a new state law cracking down on illegal immigration.The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts sent out letters to about 570 city and government agencies, warning them that if they don't comply, their funds could become cut off. Two dozen of those, are right here in our own viewing area.Lookout Mountain city workers spend the last few days of summer cleaning up and getting ready for more leaves to fall. But under a new state law,  the money that funds this work  and a lot of other city services could be in jeopardy."It would all go downhill because, I mean, that's all they've got really to keep the place up," says taxpayer, Joseph Nichols.That's because of House Bill 87, a new law that requires Georgia city and county authorities to comply new immigration rules. It requires annual reports certifying that their employees and contractors are eligible to work in the United States.State officials say it's a way to track public funding so the money doesn't go into the wrong hands."Some of the grants and loans that come through the Department of Community Affairs would not be available to them for things like water and sewer, or other infrastructure fixes that little communities have a hard time raising the funds to take care of themselves," says Director of External Affairs for the DCA, Saralyn Stafford.One of those cities on the list is Lookout Mountain, Georgia."If there is something that wasn't submitted that was suppose to be, we will certainly get that done. It's a very new thing, it's something we've never had to do before," says City Manager, Brad Haven.Haven is still trying to figure out the new rules, and knows how important the money is. And the state seems willing to work with them."I think that the majority of the cities and the city authorities that are on the list are not on there because they are deliberately ignoring the requirements, it's that they have overlooked what's required, or they didn't understand it," says Stafford.Stafford says the Department of Community Affairs plans to meet with a number of government agencies next week, so they can figure out a way to help the small cities fill out all the necessary paperwork.CLICK HERE to see a list of all the cities affected

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