Karen K. Narasaki. Image via Asian American Center.

The Asian American Center for Advancing Justice has come out against Georgia’s new sweeping immigration bill that will encourage racial profiling and instill fear in immigrant communities.

“Georgia’s decision to pass an Arizona-style immigration enforcement bill turns back the clock on Georgia’s progress on civil rights,” said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center. “HB 87 is not only unconstitutional, it is inhumane and misguided.”

“This law places all minorities, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), under constant suspicion,” said Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. “Such broad immigration enforcement powers will undermine community trust in law enforcement and make Georgia less safe for everyone.”

Georgia is home to more than 900,000 immigrants and has one of the fastest growing AAPI populations. The state faces a current budget deficit of $1.7 billion. Asians and Latinos wield significant economic power in Georgia, with about $23 billion in consumer purchasing power. Their businesses also had sales and receipts of $12 billion and employed more than 74,000 people.

“This law will level untold damage on the state’s immigrant communities,” said Titi Liu,executive director of the Asian Law Caucus. “Georgia’s decision legalizes racial profiling by law enforcement and moves our entire country in the wrong direction.”