Georgia Exposed as Sanctuary State in Laken Hope Riley’s Murder
The Heart-Wrenching Truth About Illegal Immigration in Georgia
The heart-wrenching story of the murder of the University of Georgia (UGA) nursing student Laken Hope Riley reveals a truth that many Republican politicians in Georgia hope will never see daylight. The latest estimates from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security show that only six states host more illegal aliens than Georgia. At about 400,000, we have more illegal aliens than “green card” holders.
While illegal immigration is the No. 1 issue in the nation, until last week’s news of the murder at UGA, the same was not true in Georgia’s politics. It is sadly accurate to say that much of Georgia is a sanctuary state. Many local officials contribute to the state’s illegal immigration by violating the state law they have sworn to enforce and declaring an illegal sanctuary policy.
Shortly after taking office in 2021, Democrat Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens invited a mariachi band to celebrate his announcement to end the county jail’s lifesaving 287(g) agreement (authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions) — and then he danced. The invited crowd of newly empowered, anti-enforcement activists funded by corporate Georgia went wild with gratitude.
On the other side of metro-Atlanta, at his own swearing-in event in Gwinnett County, the newly elected Democrat sheriff, Keybo Taylor, stood before a large audience, including media, and boasted that he too had ended the county jail’s 287(g) agreement with ICE. He went further by announcing that “what we will not be doing is notifying ICE of anybody’s immigration status in the jail or any of our facilities.” To make his professional position on the inherent dangers of “criminal illegals” set free on our streets crystal clear, Taylor added, “We will not keep anyone in jail under an ICE detainer.”
To address these defiant officials, Georgia Rep. Jesse Petrea has introduced his pro-enforcement bill HB 1105 (the Criminal Alien Track and Report Act), which would add penalties for noncompliance with existing laws against sanctuary. It defines “sanctuary” as “any regulation, rule, policy, or practice adopted by a local governing body which prohibits or restricts local officials or employees from communicating or cooperating with federal officials or law enforcement officers with regard to reporting immigration status information while such local official or employee is acting within the scope of his or her official duties.”
Lack of Media Coverage
My discussions with law enforcement officials and open records requests show many Georgia jailers do not obey the laws against sanctuary, instead defying the law designed to protect us from the criminal illegals who are murdering, raping and, molesting innocent Georgians — including our children. My complaints filed with various officials and agencies to force compliance, or at least media coverage, went nowhere.
Taylor and the many other sheriffs in open and public defiance of state law against sanctuary have escaped the media attention that trusting voters would expect. The reason for the news suppression is not a mystery. Most media are not on the side of immigration enforcement. But imagine the howling headlines if any state agency violated any law that benefits illegal aliens.
Gov. Kemp’s Record
This brings us to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. As noted by the left-wing Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper at the time, Kemp’s first TV ad in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary cited Americans who had been killed by illegal aliens and portrayed him as “tough on illegal immigration.”
The widespread belief then was that he meant tough on illegal immigration in Georgia.
“As governor, conservative businessman Brian Kemp will create a comprehensive database to track criminal aliens in Georgia. He will also update Georgia law to streamline deportations from our jails and prisons,” went the detailed promises Kemp made on his 2018 campaign website.
“Donald Trump was right. We must secure the border and end sanctuary cities,” said candidate Kemp in 2018. But Kemp has ignored illegal immigration in Georgia.
Sending Georgia’s National Guard to the border has not resulted in Taylor et al. ending their illegal sanctuary policies. “Standing with” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in an on-the-border Fox News camera shot will not aid final passage of Rep. Petrea’s enforcement bill in Georgia.
If Kemp is ever going to finally speak up on enforcing Georgia’s laws on illegal immigration — especially laws prohibiting sanctuary policies — Petrea’s measure provides an obvious opportunity.
Section 2, Paragraph 2, of the Georgia Constitution says: “The Governor shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed and shall be the conservator of the peace throughout the state.” If Kemp continues to ignore illegal immigration and sanctuary jails in Georgia, all concerned should ask exactly how he is better on the dangerous crisis in Georgia than President Joe Biden is nationally.
How has Gov. Kemp’s record on illegal immigration contradicted his campaign promises?
Ensive database to track criminal aliens, streamline cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and stand with President Trump to build a wall and end illegal immigration,” the ad stated. And voters believed him.
However, since taking office, Gov. Kemp’s record on illegal immigration has been disappointing at best. Despite campaigning on a promise to crack down on illegal immigration, his actions have not matched his rhetoric.
For example, in 2019, Gov. Kemp signed into law a bill that allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses in Georgia. This move not only undermines our immigration laws but also poses a threat to public safety. Driver’s licenses provide a form of identification that can be used for various purposes, including opening bank accounts and boarding flights. By granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, Gov. Kemp is essentially providing them with a legitimate identity, making it easier for them to engage in illegal activities and potentially evade law enforcement.
In addition, Gov. Kemp has failed to take decisive action against local officials who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Despite the existence of state laws that prohibit sanctuary policies, many Georgia sheriffs openly defy these laws without facing any consequences. This lack of enforcement not only puts the safety of Georgians at risk but also undermines the rule of law.
It is clear that Gov. Kemp has prioritized political expedience over the safety and well-being of Georgia residents. By failing to take meaningful action against illegal immigration and sanctuary policies, he has not only betrayed the trust of the voters but also contributed to the heart-wrenching stories of innocent lives lost.
A Call for Action
Georgia citizens must hold their elected officials accountable and demand stronger measures against illegal immigration. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this pressing issue any longer. Our communities and our families are at risk, and it is up to us to ensure their safety.
Contact your state representatives and senators and urge them to support bills like HB 1105, which seek to enforce existing laws against sanctuary policies. Attend town hall meetings and engage in grassroots advocacy to raise awareness and pressure local officials to comply with the law.
Furthermore, as the next election approaches, carefully consider the candidates’ positions on illegal immigration and hold them accountable for their promises. We cannot allow politicians to pay lip service to this issue while failing to take meaningful action.
Together, we can create a Georgia that is safe and secure for all of its residents. It is time to put an end to the heart-wrenching stories of innocent lives lost due to illegal immigration. Let us stand up for justice and demand the enforcement of our laws.
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