A Georgia panel charged with ensuring compliance with immigration-related state laws is set to hold its first meeting amid an uproar over the views of one of its members.

The seven-member Georgia Immigration Enforcement Review Board will meet Thursday at the state Capitol.

Thousands of people have signed petitions delivered to Nathan Deal urging the governor to rescind his appointment of Phil Kent to the board, calling his views on race and culture "extreme."

Kent serves as national spokesman for Americans for Immigration Control, which calls for deporting all illegal immigrants and opposes any amnesty or guest worker legislation.

The Georgia board was created by a new state law cracking down on illegal immigration. It has the power to investigate complaints and take disciplinary action.

Tags: Georgia, politics, immigration, immigration enforcement board