Rep. Buddy Carter Calls for ICE Expansion in Atlanta

Rep. Buddy Carter from Georgia is advocating for a stronger presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Atlanta as local law enforcement ramps up its efforts in response to unrest seen recently in Minneapolis. He believes that the ramifications of President Biden’s open-border policies, supported by Democratic Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, are still being felt.

In his statement, Carter highlighted that several violent illegal immigrants have been apprehended in the Atlanta area. A report indicates that nearly 500,000 undocumented individuals reside in Georgia, marking the sixth-highest illegal immigration rate in the U.S., which has surged by over 45 percent since 2018.

“Successful federal interventions have occurred in other cities governed by Democrats,” he asserted, noting that since President Trump deployed ICE agents to Minneapolis under Operation Metro Surge, 3,000 illegal immigrants, including serious offenders like murderers and gang members, have been detained. “When you dedicate the necessary attention and resources to a problem, you begin to see results,” he added.

Carter emphasized the urgency of addressing immigration-related crime in Atlanta, recalling the tragic case of nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed in 2024 by an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant. He urged Ossoff, Warnock, and the entire Georgia Congressional delegation to collaborate on ensuring safety in their cities. “With Donald Trump’s leadership, we can accomplish this,” he said.

In Savannah, demonstrations erupted against ICE following the shooting death of Alex Pretti, illustrating public tensions. Carter’s remarks included criticism directed at politicians who undermine law enforcement, arguing that violence against police has increased due to the negativity surrounding their efforts to maintain safety.

Carter reiterated the need for ICE’s augmented role in Atlanta. He shared on social media, “Atlanta is home to some of the worst illegal criminals. Democrats are responsible for this crisis due to their lax border policies. It’s time for ICE to act—arrest and deport these criminals.” He is currently running in a Republican Senate primary against U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and newcomer Derek Dooley, both of whom are seeking to challenge Senator Ossoff in the upcoming election.

While Collins leads in the polls, both Carter and Collins are looking for support from Trump, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the race in Georgia.