The nationwide immigration crackdown that included raids in Georgia and the arrest of 121 adults and children last month will continue despite objections raised by federal lawmakers and advocates, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced this week.
“Our policy is clear: We will continue to enforce the immigration laws and secure our borders consistent with our priorities and values,” Johnson said in a prepared statement. “At the same time, we will offer vulnerable populations in Central America an alternative, safe and legal path to a better life.”
The raids – which also took place in North Carolina and Texas – were part of a crackdown targeting immigrants illegally crossing the southwest border. Of the 121 adults and children who were arrested in the raids last month, 77 have been deported, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE has not provided a state-by-state breakdown. But some of the arrests happened in Atlanta, Austell, Lawrenceville and Norcross, according to press reports and advocates.
More than 100 congressmen — including three Democrats from Georgia — signed a letter to President Barack Obama last month, calling on him to end the raids.
“The DHS operation has generated widespread fear and panic in immigrant communities and has far-reaching impacts beyond the alleged targets for removal,” the letter says.
Last week, the Southern Poverty Center and the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights released a report accusing ICE of carrying out the raids without warrants, entering people's homes without their consent and denying women access to their attorneys. ICE denied the allegations.
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