Georgia's new immigration law sparks protests

According to the police, around about 10,000 to 15,000 people were involved in rallies that included groups like Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights.

The roads of downtown Atlanta were jammed on Saturday morning.

Helen Kim Ho, executive director of the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center, said, “We need comprehensive immigration reform. Change has to come from the federal level”.

“Obviously the federal government is not doing anything for us so we'll have to do it for ourselves”, said a 22 year-old, involved in rally.

The march was non-violent. No case of arrest have been reported.

The new law promises to keep a check on immigration related fraud in Georgia by targeting the undocumented immigrants.

Stay on HB 87
It was a sigh of relief for all those involved in rallies as law's two of the most controversial parts were put on hold by federal government.

One of the parts of law that has been blocked authorizes police to check the immigration status of suspects without proper identification. It also gives them the power to detain those immigrants.

The other blocked law sets up a penalty for people who knowingly and willingly transport or harbor illegal immigrants into the country.

When questioned regarding the law, State Rep. Debbie Buckner, D-Junction City, said, “It's been a confusing law from the beginning for a number of people in my area”.