ATLANTA — Georgia U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter sent a letter Thursday urging Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to increase federal law enforcement resources in the city of Atlanta.
Carter says recent reports find that Georgia has “479,000 illegal immigrants, making it the sixth highest state in the nation for illegal immigration.”
“That represents a 45% increase since 2018 in the number of people in Georgia living in open defiance of the law,” Carter said in his letter to Noem. “By deploying more federal officers, DHS and ICE would provide crucial support to local and state partners. Increasing enforcement presence would help deter unlawful entry, disrupt illegal networks, and uphold the rule of law.”
Cities across the country where the federal government has sent in federal authorities have been met with protests and unrest.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Man killed firefighter and his wife, leaving 2-year-old alone with bodies in Cobb County
- Drivers left with few options when it comes to penalties for passing stopped buses
- Clayton jail contractor accused of hiding drugs inside her office desk
Until Carter’s letter to Noem, there had been no inkling that the federal government had any intention of sending federal troops into Atlanta.
In a statement shared with Channel 2 Action News, a spokesperson for Mayor Andre Dickens said he has “made public safety a top priority of his administration,” adding that “year after year, crime has gone down in the city of Atlanta thanks to APD, AFRD, E-911 and EMS, by making investments that address the root causes of crime, and through strong partnerships with the Governor, State, and regional partners.”
The spokesperson also said the results in Atlanta speak for themselves, sharing the following crime statistics:
- Homicides are down 27 percent year to date and 44 percent from 2022
- Shootings are down 19 percent year to date and 37 percent from 2022
- Motor vehicle theft is down 41 percent YTD and 10 percent from 2022
“Since Mayor Dickens took office, Atlanta has been named the best place in the country to live, the best city to start a career, the best city to start a business, and Georgia continues to be the best place in the country to do business through our collaboration and partnership with the State,” the spokesperson continued. “Mayor Dickens will continue to expand the ‘group project’ until Atlanta is the best city in the nation to raise a child.”
Carter is among the Republican candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. He has touted himself in ads as a “MAGA Warrior” who is closely aligned with President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate in the race.
Carter represents Georgia’s 1st District, which includes the city of Savannah.
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