Bill ending funding for ‘sanctuary campuses’ passes Georgia House

State lawmakers, including Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs, front right, watch the vote on Feb. 22, 2017, on Ehrhart's bill to ban state funding from colleges that declare themselves "sanctuary campuses." BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

State lawmakers, including Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs, front right, watch the vote on Feb. 22, 2017, on Ehrhart's bill to ban state funding from colleges that declare themselves "sanctuary campuses." BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Private colleges and universities in Georgia could lose state funding if they declare themselves “sanctuary campuses” under legislation the state House approved Wednesday.

House Bill 37 would punish those schools that do not comply with state and federal immigration law. The bill passed 112-57 and now goes to the Senate.

Emory University previously had flirted with becoming a "sanctuary," to allow some undocumented immigrants to attend the DeKalb County university despite laws against it.

Emory receives tens of millions in state dollars each year for health services and tuition assistance grants.

Students could lose HOPE grants under the bill.