1,100 GA Officers To Undergo ICE Training In Immigration Crackdown

ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp has directed 1,100 state public safety officers to be trained to identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants who pose a risk to Georgia's safety.

Kemp on Monday announced that under his guidance, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Col. Billy Hitchens asked the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to train the officers through the 287(g) program.

Georgia officers will then be able to perform some immigration officer functions under ICE's oversight. Troopers will be able to use their training during traffic stops, crash investigations and commercial vehicle inspections throughout Georgia, Kemp's office said.

"If you are in our country illegally and committing crimes, you have no place in Georgia," Kemp said in a news release. "This is another commonsense measure on top of those we've taken since I first took office to further enable hardworking law enforcement to assist in identifying and apprehending illegal aliens who pose a risk to public safety. I'm also thankful we now have an administration and partner in the White House who recognizes the gravity of this issue and prioritizes keeping Americans safe by securing the border and cracking down on illegal immigration."

President Donald Trump at his most recent inauguration ordered ICE to collaborate with state and local law-enforcement officers through what he dubbed Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

ICE last week asked the Georgia Department of Corrections, which presently participates in 287(g), to help with the deportation of undocumented immigrants, Kemp's office said. The GDC joined the program though its Jail Enforcement Model.

According to Kemp's office, about 1,730 inmates in the state are being detained for ICE.

Opponents of the governor's decision told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the measure could be prejudicial against racial and ethnic minorities. Furthermore, they reportedly said families may be separated, and immigrant communities may hesitate to report crimes.

“We are concerned about potential profiling and show-me-your-papers activities affecting hard- working immigrants who are no danger to anyone,” Gigi Pedraza, executive director of the Atlanta-based Latino Community Fund, told the AJC. “We all want secure and safe communities. We disagree with Gov. Kemp on his decision. We also hope that the officers trained will indeed focus on individuals that are violent criminals.”

Even then, Kitchens said the training between ICE and DPS could promote community safety in Georgia.

"Identifying those who pose a threat and who are not in our country legally through education and interagency communication allows us to serve our citizens to the best of our ability, which is ultimately our goal," he said in the release.

The inclusion of Georgia DPS officers to state and federal leaders' crackdown on undocumented immigrants is an addition to the FBI Atlanta office's partnership on the matter.

Atlanta federal agents on Monday expressed their continued alliance with the Department of Justice on immigration enforcement efforts.

The FBI has said these operations have taken place from Atlanta to Anchorage, Alaska.

"FBI teams across the country are collaborating with Immigration And Customs Enforcement and the United States Department of Justice on immigration enforcement operations. With vital assistance in strategy and advanced technology, they are effectively identifying and removing dangerous criminals to protect the safety and security of our communities," the FBI stated.