Ga. immigration panel won't seek violators

by SHANNON McCAFFREY
Associated Press
Sep 30, 2011

ATLANTA (AP) — The head of a new Georgia immigration panel says it will respond to valid complaints filed by registered voters in the state but will not seek out violators.

Atlanta lawyer Ben Vinson was elected chairman of the Georgia Immigration Enforcement Review Board at its first meeting Thursday.

Vinson said the board will be very narrowly weighing whether businesses and governments are conducting legally required checks before hiring or providing government benefits.

Thousands of people have signed petitions delivered to Gov. Nathan Deal urging him to rescind his appointment of Phil Kent to the board, calling Kent's views on race and culture "extreme."

Kent dismissed that criticism following Thursday's meeting.

The board was created by a new state law passed this year designed to crack down on illegal immigration.

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