SB 549: Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies; covered governmental entities from providing funding or resources in support of the operation of immigration detention centers; prohibit

Immigration detention centers in Georgia, including private facilities under contract with federal immigration authorities, currently can receive support from state and local governments. This bill would add a new section to Georgia law barring what it calls 'covered entities', which includes state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and other government authorities, from providing funding or resources to support the operation of these facilities. The bill defines a detainee as a noncitizen held pending immigration proceedings or removal under federal Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement authority. It defines an immigration detention center as any in-state facility holding such detainees, including privately run ones under federal contract. The bill does not set penalties for violations or specify an enforcement mechanism, and it repeals any conflicting state laws.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 35-1-17.1) prohibiting covered government entities from funding or providing resources for immigration detention center operations.
• Defines 'covered entity' broadly to include state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and other government authorities in Georgia.
• Defines 'detainee' as a noncitizen held in immigration detention pending federal immigration proceedings or removal.
• Defines 'immigration detention center' to include private facilities located in Georgia that are contracted by the federal government.
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new prohibition.

State agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and other Georgia government authorities that might otherwise fund or support immigration detention facilities, as well as private companies operating immigration detention centers under federal contract in Georgia.

If enacted, Georgia state and local governments would no longer be able to direct funding or resources toward immigration detention centers, potentially affecting how privately run facilities that hold federal immigration detainees operate or are supported within the state.

• Section 1 creates new Code section 35-1-17.1 within Chapter 1 of Title 35, which covers general law enforcement provisions.
• Subsection (a) defines three key terms: 'covered entity', 'detainee', and 'immigration detention center'.
• Subsection (b) states the core prohibition: no covered entity may provide funding or resources supporting immigration detention center operations.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting Georgia laws but does not create a specific penalty or enforcement process for violations.

1. 2026-02-24Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
2. 2026-02-23Senate Hopper (Senado)

• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)Patrocinador principal
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)

• immigration detention
• local government funding
• state agencies
• immigration enforcement