HB470: HB470 Crimes and offenses; prohibit activities related to immigration enforcement in certain locations

Georgia law currently has a section of the criminal code dealing with offenses involving illegal aliens (O.C.G.A. Title 16, Chapter 11, Article 5). This bill adds a new section to that article creating a broad restriction on immigration enforcement in specific places. Under the bill, no federal, state, or local government employee, including law enforcement officers, could conduct immigration enforcement activities or take any action intended to assist immigration enforcement on or in school grounds, college campuses, public places of worship, or hospitals. This rule would apply notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, meaning it would override conflicting provisions. The bill repeals any laws that conflict with it. It does not set out a specific penalty for violations or a stated effective date beyond the standard process for a new Georgia law.

• Creates a new Georgia Code section (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-204) barring immigration enforcement activity at schools, college campuses, houses of worship, and hospitals.
• Applies the ban to any federal, state, or local government employee, explicitly including law enforcement officers.
• Bars not only direct enforcement actions but also actions taken with the intent to assist immigration enforcement in those locations.
• States the restriction applies notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, meaning it would take precedence over conflicting statutes.
• Repeals all laws and parts of laws that conflict with the new restriction.

Federal immigration agents, state and local police and sheriff's deputies, school and college staff and administrators, hospital staff, and religious organizations that host worship services, since the bill restricts what enforcement activity can occur on their grounds.

If enacted, immigration enforcement actions, including by federal officers if state law were found to reach them, and any local assistance with such actions, would be off-limits at schools, colleges, churches, and hospitals in Georgia, changing where such operations could occur and who could take part.

• Section 1 adds new Code section 16-11-204 to Article 5 of Chapter 11 of Title 16, the part of Georgia law covering offenses involving illegal aliens.
• The new section applies to federal, state, and local government employees, specifically naming law enforcement officers among those covered.
• The prohibition covers both directly conducting immigration enforcement and taking actions intended to assist such enforcement.
• The listed protected locations are school grounds, college campuses, public places of worship, and hospitals.
• The provision is written to apply notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary.
• Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the Act.

1. 2025-02-20House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-19House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-18House Hopper (House)

• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)Primary sponsor
• Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-042)
• Ruwa Romman (D, HD-097)
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)

• immigration enforcement
• school safety
• law enforcement policy
• hospitals
• places of worship