More than 1,200 undocumented immigrants were arrested throughout Georgia over the past few weeks as part of what the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are calling an "enhanced immigration enforcement operation."
The operation, called "Operation Safe Community — Atlanta" was intended to "net" undocumented immigrants who have criminal histories. Charges ranged in severity from drug crimes and DUIs to aggravated assault and crimes against children, according to the agency. Only half of those arrested, however, had any criminal history.
"Our officers did what they do best: they arrested and removed dangerous criminal offenders from American communities," ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Acting Assistant Director Patricia Hyde
said in an Aug. 7 statement. "Removing these criminal alien offenders from Georgia neighborhoods makes for much safer communities, and that is exactly what the men and women of ICE work to accomplish every day across our great nation."
Only half of ICE arrestees had criminal histories
A total of 1,226 undocumented immigrants were arrested as part of the operation in Georgia, ICE said. Of those, 720 individuals had been convicted or charged with a crime in the United States.
Additionally, five individuals were arrested from the same address, which belonged to a trucking company ICE says is "known for employing" undocumented immigrants.
Hyde said while only half of the arrests were of those with criminal histories, "make no mistake, every one of the (undocumented immigrant) offenders apprehended during this operation was in violation of U.S. immigration law."
ICE officials released the names and charges of nine individuals, hailing from Mexico, El Salvador, Romania and Honduras. Other names and charges were not released.
Are immigration violations criminal or civil charges?
Many immigration cases and violations are civil violations and not criminal acts, according to Berardi Immigration Law.
Overstaying a visa, violating the terms of a visa, or simply existing while undocumented are civil offenses. While they may still result in deportation or removal, these violations have typically been handled through civil court and have not included jail time.
Other offenses, like smuggling, reentering the U.S. after a removal, or using fraudulent documents on immigration paperwork, are criminal offenses that can carry significant jail time, especially on top of prior charges.
DHS scraps Georgia detention facilities
Earlier this summer, the Department of Homeland Security scrapped a plan that would have brought two ICE detention centers to Georgia. A large 10,000-bed detention facility was planned for the town of Social Circle, while a 5,000-bed processing facility was planned for the town of Oakwood.
After months of backlash in both communities (including protests, town hall meetings, and Social Circle cutting off water to their warehouse), both projects were scrapped, and the warehouses that had already been purchased by DHS were made available to other federal agencies.
"The City of Social Circle has received notification from Congressman Mike Collins that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is no longer pursuing an ICE detention facility within the City of Social Circle. This information is based on confirmation from multiple sources within DHS," Social Circle officials said in a June 18 statement. "Based on the information provided to the City, it is our understanding that the property could be sold if there are no other federal agencies that express interest in the property. While the exact process has not been confirmed, it is anticipated that any sale would occur through the General Services Administration (GSA)."
Both warehouses were purchased significantly above fair market value, and the properties have yet to be returned to the local tax base.
Oakwood officials said at the beginning of July they were still waiting on their own official confirmation from DHS, but it is their understanding the Oakwood facility will fall under the same designation as Social Circle.
Irene Wright covers immigration in Georgia as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: More than 1,200 people arrested during recent Atlanta ICE operation
