The involvement of the Georgia State Patrol in immigration operations conducted by the Department of Homeland Security has generated alarm in Latino communities in metro Atlanta.
This Wednesday, May 28, state agents collaborated for the first time with federal officials in a raid conducted in Chamblee, a city northeast of Atlanta with a high concentration of Hispanic residents.
ICE raid supported by Georgia State Patrol
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokeswoman Lindsay Williams confirmed that the operation was led by the Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of ICE that specializes in immigration and border security-related crimes.
Although the exact number of people arrested has not been reported, several witnesses reported the arrest of Hispanic workers, mainly drivers of work trucks.
What is different about this operation?
While immigration raids in Georgia are not new-especially since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025-what sets this case apart is that for the first time the Georgia State Patrol actively participated alongside ICE in executing the raids.
Until now, its role had been limited to traffic and road control functions.
According to several Chamblee residents, the agents focused on areas where Latino businesses operate.
Special attention was paid to work vehicles, such as vans and pickup trucks, which generated concern among undocumented workers who depend on transportation for their daily work.
Guatemalan journalist Mario Guevara was present during the raid in Chamblee and was able to document live on his official Facebook account everything that was happening.
The Chamblee Police Department clarified in an official statement that it was not involved in the arrests and that its parking lot was only used as a staging point by state and federal officers.
The City of Chamblee is aware of the recent arrests made by HSI. The Chamblee Police Department was not involved in these arrests
Chamblee Police Department
Governor Kemp’s Instructions
The operation comes weeks after Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp ordered Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Billy Hitchens to train the 1,100 agents under his command in collaboration with ICE.
The stated objective is to improve the identification and detention of undocumented immigrants considered “a threat to public safety”.
However, community leaders and civil rights organizations fear that this measure opens the door to racial profiling and arbitrary detentions.
Especially in areas where many Latino immigrants work, pay taxes and care for their families without criminal records.
What should the community know?
Buzzy
Against this backdrop, immigration lawyers and activists recommend that immigrants-documented or not-be informed of their rights:
You have the right to remain silent and not answer questions about your immigration status.
Do not sign any document without legal advice.
If you are in a detained vehicle, ask if you are free to leave. If you are not under arrest, you are free to leave.
Carry a family emergency plan with you at all times.
It is also suggested to avoid driving without a valid license or expired license plates, since the operations are focusing on commercial and utility vehicles.
For more news, visit QueOnnda.com.
