Rep. Buddy Carter urges increased ICE presence in Atlanta to stop migrant-related crimes

Carter Urges ICE Action in Atlanta Amid Rising Illegal Immigration

WASHINGTON – Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) addressed the need for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to send personnel to Atlanta, emphasizing public safety concerns linked to escalating illegal immigration. He mentions that some of these immigrants have been involved in violent crimes.

As he campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat from Georgia, Carter applauds Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons for their achievements in securing the southern border but also notes that “significant work remains” regarding deportations in Georgia. This information comes from a letter exclusively acquired by the newspaper.

Approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants currently reside in Georgia, which has increased by 45% since 2018, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Georgia Republicans echoed Carter’s sentiments, asserting that individuals living illegally in the state should be treated according to their legal status. They pointed out that ignoring these laws fosters a climate of crime.

Carter cited a case involving Salvador Rodriguez Mendoza, an undocumented Mexican national, who was arrested in Clayton County on serious charges including murder and aggravated assault. His lengthy criminal history includes several DUI offenses and other violations.

Rodriguez Mendoza had previously been deported in 2000 and 2018 but managed to re-enter the U.S. again, though the specifics of this re-entry remain unclear.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented that “violent criminals” have been neutralized and no longer pose a threat to society. An arrest warrant for Rodriguez Mendoza has been issued, which will be active once his current legal issues are resolved.

Carter also referenced a tragic murder of a mother of five by undocumented individuals from Honduras, emphasizing that without more federal support, such crimes will likely continue unchecked.

He stressed that residents are requesting federal assistance to improve safety and support local compliance with immigration laws. ICE already operates in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, aiming to deport as many as 2 million undocumented immigrants by the end of 2025, focusing significantly on criminal removals.

During President Biden’s administration, estimates suggest that about 8 million immigrants entered the country through various programs and border crossings.

The murder of nursing student Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant at the University of Georgia sparked widespread concern and criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, galvanizing voters heading into the 2024 elections.

Carter finds himself in a challenging three-way primary race against Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley, as he prepares to face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026. Recent polling indicates Collins leading with 28.3% support, followed by Carter at 18.7% and Dooley at 12%.