Atlanta ICE Field Office Ranks 5th Nationally in Immigrant Arrests

(ATLANTA) The Atlanta ICE field office is now one of the busiest enforcement hubs in the United States, ranking fifth nationally for immigrant arrests after a rapid run-up in 2025. This surge was driven by new federal targets, a tougher state law in Georgia, and deeper cooperation between county sheriffs and federal agents.

From January through June 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers made 5,670 arrests in Georgia, compared with 1,570 during the last six months of the Biden administration. That shift has reshaped daily life for many mixed-status families across the state and intensified debate over enforcement priorities. The office’s reach extends beyond Georgia to the Carolinas, but Georgia is now the main engine of growth for this region’s numbers.

National and Statewide Numbers

• ICE recorded 31,625 arrests in June 2025 alone nationwide.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) added 5,112 people later booked into ICE detention that month.
• In Georgia, 5,670 arrests occurred in the first half of 2025 versus 1,570 in the last half of 2024.
• In June 2025, 42% of ICE arrests in Georgia were of people without a criminal record, up from 14% in January.

Federal officials note some individuals labeled “non-criminal” in U.S. databases may have serious histories not appearing in those systems.

How Atlanta Compares to Other Offices

The Atlanta field office trails only:
1. Miami — 15,566 arrests
2. New Orleans — 11,438 arrests
3. Dallas — 10,902 arrests
4. Houston — 10,494 arrests

This ranking represents a dramatic shift from the Biden-era enforcement levels and reflects the Trump administration’s strategic changes in 2025, including a new daily quota and an emphasis on jail-based arrests coordinated with local sheriffs.

Deportations, Community Impact, and Reactions

• Nearly 2,500 people—about 44% of those arrested in Georgia since January have been deported.
• Families report sudden separations, lost wages, and children adjusting to life without a parent at home.
• Community leaders and advocates describe intensified fear and disruption:
  • “It feels to many of us like open season,” said Gigi Pedraza of the Atlanta-based Latino Community Fund.
  • Legal aid providers and school counselors report more families seeking help, particularly near major detention centers in South Georgia.

Policy Shifts Driving the Spike

Two main policy changes altered enforcement in early 2025:

• Federal: the Trump administration tripled ICE’s arrest quota to at least 3,000 arrests per day, up from 1,000.
• State (Georgia): a new law mandates closer collaboration between county sheriffs and ICE, strengthening jail-based identification and faster handoffs to federal custody.

Combined, these changes mean about half of all ICE apprehensions in Georgia now occur inside local jails, out of public view, rather than at homes or workplaces.

DHS leaders frame the shift as public-safety focused. For example:

“ICE is once again empowered to remove the worst of the worst—including murderers, pedophiles, gang members, drug traffickers, and terrorists. In Georgia alone, arrests of illegal aliens have increased by 367%,” said Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary.

Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border policy lead, emphasized jail-based arrests as safer: “If I had a choice, I’d much rather be in a jail because it’s safer for the neighborhood, safer for the officer and safer for the public.”

Advocates counter that many arrests now involve people with no U.S. criminal convictions, creating tension over stated priorities versus on-the-ground practices.

Detention Capacity and Alternatives

• Fort Stewart Detention Center exceeded its 1,752-resident capacity in June.
• Folkston ICE Processing Center is being expanded to 3,000 detainees, which would make it the largest immigrant detention facility in the country.
• Nationally, ICE reported a detention population of 56,816 as of July 13, 2025.
  • 71.5% of those in custody had no criminal conviction recorded in U.S. databases.

ICE argues detention ensures court appearances and removals when ordered. Advocates argue detention is excessive for people who could be released on monitoring.

Alternatives to Detention (ATD):
– ICE reports 182,822 people supervised nationwide as of July.
– ATD uses check-ins, phone calls, smartphone apps, and ankle monitors.
– Supporters: cheaper and more humane than detention.
– Critics: ankle monitors can be intrusive and technically glitchy; placements in Georgia appear to be tightening as arrests climb.

Inside Georgia’s Detention Pipeline (Five Steps)

1. Arrest
   • Often inside a county jail after local booking on unrelated matters.
   • Sheriffs share information more quickly with ICE; detainers move faster under the new state law.
2. Transfer to Federal Custody
   • Many are routed to Fort Stewart or Folkston, depending on space and location.
3. Detention or Release Under Conditions
   • Access to bond has tightened; more detainees remain held through hearings.
4. Court Process
   • Immigration courts decide whether a person can remain or must be removed.
   • Georgia’s ~44% deportation share by midyear shows how quickly cases move for detained individuals.

1. Oversight
   • ICE cites public reporting systems and internal checks governing detainer issuance and arrest prioritization.

Operational and Community Effects

• Arrests inside jails reduce public visibility of operations, compared with public arrests in sanctuary jurisdictions.
• Legal service providers report longer waits and delays accessing client files at Fort Stewart.
• Folkston’s expansion to 3,000 beds signals both short-term relief and a long-term capacity strategy to sustain higher arrest targets.
• Families rely more on paid phone and video visits as in-person contact is limited.

Employers and local services:
– Agriculture, poultry, construction, and hospitality sectors report sudden staffing gaps.
– Schools plan for students whose parents may be detained or deported.
– Churches and nonprofits coordinate rides to detention centers and immigration court.
– Legal aid groups ramp up “know-your-rights” seminars and legal clinics.

Political, Legal, and Procedural Considerations

• Supporters of Georgia’s cooperation law argue it aligns with public safety and prevents jails from being revolving doors.
• Opponents say it erodes community trust, drags local agencies into federal enforcement, and exposes counties to litigation when mistakes occur.
• Attorneys advise:
  • Keep documents ready (school records, employer letters, proof of residence).
  • Save money for legal fees.
  • Arrange childcare in case a parent is picked up.
  • Be prepared for longer detentions and faster timelines; hearings inside detention carry higher stakes.

Public Information and Reporting

• ICE encourages reporting suspected immigration violations via the ICE Tip Line: 1-866-347-2423.
• The agency points residents to the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) account on X at @HSIAtlanta for regional updates.
• For official policy and process details, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations page is available at ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Broader Context and Outlook

• The national detention population of 56,816 and the 71.5% share with no recorded U.S. conviction highlight a broader trend of arresting and holding many people without U.S. criminal convictions.
• Researchers note detained cases move faster through the courts, contributing to higher deportation shares like Georgia’s ~44% by midyear.
• The Trump administration’s 3,000 daily arrests target keeps pressure on field offices. Georgia’s upgraded cooperation reduces friction at the jailhouse door, and expanded facilities (especially Folkston’s planned 3,000 beds) could sustain or increase the current tempo.
• Whether Atlanta climbs higher than fifth nationally will depend on other high-volume offices and how quickly Georgia’s expansions come online.

Key Takeaways

The data shows a steep climb in arrests of people with no convictions while policy claims focus on serious offenders. Georgia now sits at the center of that contradiction, with the Atlanta ICE field office acting as a bellwether for where arrests, detention, and deportation may be headed next.

Community members seeking help should contact local nonprofits, faith groups, or legal clinics focused on immigration defense in Georgia. Anyone with information can call the ICE Tip Line: 1-866-347-2423. For official policy, visit ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.