Group cites immigration law in moving conference from Atlanta
Group cites immigration law in moving conference from Atlanta
By Laura Diamond
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The American Educational Research Association moved its 2013 annual meeting from Atlanta to San Francisco because of Georgia's new immigration law, the group announced in a news release.
Last year Georgia lawmakers passed House Bill 87, a sweeping anti-illegal immigration law that proponents say will deter illegal immigrants from coming to Georgia and burdening the state's taxpayer-funded public schools, hospitals and jails.
Critics of the law say it is unconstitutional, and a coalition of civil and immigrant rights groups is challenging it in court.
Modeled after Arizona's law, Georgia's measure allows police to investigate the immigration status of certain suspects and punishes people who transport or harbor illegal immigrants. A federal judge put parts of the law on hold, and the state is appealing that decision to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The council that heads the research association previously passed a resolution saying it would not hold meetings in Arizona until its bill was repealed. The group, which says it draws more than 15,000 to its annual meetings, applied the same rules to Georgia.
"HB 87 seriously compromises the viability of AERA’s holding a conference where all its members will be welcome," the group said in a statement last week.
Group cites immigration law in moving conference from Atlanta *| ajc.com