Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a new immigration law, HB1105, in response to the killing of Laken Riley which he believes will improve public safety. The law requires sheriff’s offices to cooperate with federal officials on individuals in custody who may be in the country unlawfully or face funding consequences. Kemp stated that the bill became a priority following Riley’s death at the hands of someone who was in the country illegally and had a criminal history. Advocates, however, argue that such laws erode trust between immigrant and Latino communities and law enforcement, potentially hindering crime reporting and prevention efforts. The law specifically outlines procedures for checking immigration status in jails and mandates participation in the 287(g) agreement with ICE, allowing local jailers to enforce immigration laws. Opponents fear increased racial profiling and abuses resulting from the law.
The death of nursing student Laken Riley, at the hands of an individual with a criminal history who was in the country illegally, intensified the political debate over immigration in Georgia. The suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, had been arrested in New York for illegal entry and later charged with a crime involving a minor before being released before ICE could take him into custody. Advocates argue that using local officers to enforce immigration laws can backfire, as it may lead to a breakdown in community trust with law enforcement. This, in turn, could potentially deter crime reporting and cooperation with the police in immigrant communities. The law imposes penalties for failing to check immigration status in jails and requires participation in the 287(g) program, despite the Biden Administration’s de-emphasis on the program.
Opponents of Georgia’s new immigration law, such as CEO of GALEO Jerry Gonzalez, argue that it will lead to increased racial profiling and erosion of trust between communities and law enforcement. The law mandates that jail officials check with ICE on prisoners’ immigration status and participate in the 287(g) program, which allows for local enforcement of immigration laws. However, advocacy groups fear that such measures will extend past suspects in custody to affect local communities, leading to potential abuses and violations of civil rights. Prior participation in the 287(g) program in counties like Cobb and Gwinnett led to documented instances of racial profiling, according to Gonzalez and other advocates.
Groups like the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union have spoken out against the new immigration law, citing concerns over racial profiling and civil rights violations. The ACLU has reported that the 287(g) program has been abused by sheriffs and deputies to detain individuals they suspect of being undocumented under false pretenses. Immigration attorney Charles Kuck noted that the law clarifies procedures for holding non-citizens but still raises concerns among advocacy groups. GALEO plans to educate community members on their rights when encountering local law enforcement, in light of the potential impacts of the new law on immigrant communities.
The political climate surrounding immigration in Georgia, fueled by the death of Laken Riley and subsequent legislative actions, has heightened tensions between proponents of stricter enforcement measures and advocates for immigrant rights. Governor Kemp’s signing of HB1105 aims to address public safety concerns but has faced opposition from advocacy groups who view it as a threat to community trust and cooperation with law enforcement. The law’s requirements for checking immigration status in jails and participating in the 287(g) program have sparked fears of increased racial profiling and civil rights violations. Despite the reported benefits of such measures in enforcing immigration laws, concerns remain over their potential impact on vulnerable communities and the relationship between law enforcement and immigrant populations.
