Senate bill links road money to immigration status

House Bill 2 would deny road money to a city or county that does not sign up to use federal databases to make sure new workers are not illegal immigrants. It also requires local governments to make sure people who receive public benefits are in the U.S. legally.

Three years ago, Georgia lawmakers approved a far-reaching crackdown on illegal immigration, but critics say it lacked teeth. H.B. 2 adds those teeth by withholding money for road improvements if local governments don’t comply with the law.http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2009/04/01/georgia_immigration_construct.htmlBy Mary Lou Pickel — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution