Perdue says law follows policy on immigrants.

Byline: Matthew S.L. Cate

Apr. 18--Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue on Monday signed into law a proposal to direct taxpayer-funded benefits away from illegal immigrants and designed to pressure employers to stop hiring illegal residents.

The Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act applies federal verification rules to residents seeking Medicaid, food stamps and more. It also denies state level financial incentives and government contracts to businesses that hire illegal workers and requires authorities to verify the status of everyone jailed on felony or DUI charges.

Gov. Perdue, a Republican seeking reelection this year, said the new law merely seeks to enforce existing immigration policy.

"Georgia is not, this bill is not, anti-immigrant," he said in signing ceremony comments …