Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp said there should be "no safe haven in America" for individuals who enter the country illegally and then commit additional crimes. Kemp made his statement in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on January 27, 2025.
"There should be no safe haven in America for those who enter our country illegally and then break more of our laws," said Brian P. Kemp.
According to Fox 5, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed arrests in Atlanta, Cartersville, and Savannah as part of an ongoing immigration enforcement operation reported on January 26, 2025. ICE is working alongside federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to conduct targeted operations aimed at enforcing immigration laws and enhancing public safety. Despite online rumors about ICE raids, local police departments in Forest Park and Clayton County have denied involvement. The operation focuses on removing criminal aliens from communities; however, details regarding the number of arrests or additional local law enforcement involvement remain unclear.
The Associated Press reported on January 29 that President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law. Named after a Georgia nursing student killed in 2024, the legislation mandates the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of crimes such as theft or violence. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government if immigration enforcement decisions negatively impact states. The bill was introduced following the death of Laken Riley, allegedly at the hands of Jose Antonio Ibarra, who had been released after being arrested for illegal entry into the U.S. in 2022.
Governor Brian P. Kemp is serving as the 83rd Governor of Georgia since taking office in 2019. A native of Athens, Georgia, he began his career over 35 years ago as a small business owner. According to his website, during his tenure, Georgia experienced significant economic growth with record-breaking job creation and investments. As the first state to reopen its economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia maintained low unemployment rates and continued to be recognized as a leading state for business. Kemp was re-elected in 2022 and has focused on addressing inflation, public safety, education, and tax cuts.
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