ATLANTA () — Georgia lawmakers officially launched a new group that’s working to advance immigration enforcement efforts, a Georgia House of Representative press release said Friday.

The Pro-Enforcement Immigration Caucus was founded by local State Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah).

“This caucus is dedicated to strengthening immigration enforcement and ensuring the rule of law is upheld throughout Georgia,” said Petrea. “Our focus will remain on making certain that the safety, security and well-being of our communities are always a top priority.”

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge for Georgia and Alabama, Steven Schrank, spoke about House Bill 1105, which he said has facilitated unprecedented cooperation between immigration enforcement and local law enforcement agencies.

He also reportedly discussed workforce and human rights violations by employers violating the law to include recent arrests in Cartersville and Savannah, the press release said.

The caucus was founded by House Human Relations and Aging Committee Chairman Petrea and includes 10 other members, Houston Gaines (R-Athens), Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys), Gary Richardson (R-Evans), Kimberly New (R-Villa Rica), Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), Rey Martinez (R-Loganville), Rob Clifton (R-Evans), Mike Cameron (R-Rossville) and State Senator Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville).