Georgia Governor Will Sign Immigration Bill

ATLANTA, GA - Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal says he will sign an Arizona-style immigration bill into law.

Deal told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he would review House Bill 87, but he expects to sign the sweeping immigration bill, although he did not say when he would do so.

The Georgia General Assembly approved the bill in the final hours of the 2011 legislative session. Deal previously has said he would support a "balanced immigration reform bill."

"To try and craft legislation that is within the parameters of what a state can do without overstepping its bounds is difficult," Deal said. "And I commend the General Assembly for trying to put a product together that they felt like met that, and from what I have seen, I believe it does meet that."

Deal said he understands the concern of some business groups that depend on low-cost immigration labor. But, he said, they should take their concern to those responsible for the problem.

"I understand their concerns," Deal said. "I would hope that they would channel those concerns to the level of government that can do something about it, which is the federal government."