Georgia’s new immigration law, HB 1105, is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office has called the law “ambiguous” and warned it could hurt public trust and safety. Local leaders and advocates say the law’s unclear rules and civil rights risks make it hard for both law enforcement and immigrant communities.
HB 1105 requires sheriff’s offices and other local police to work with federal immigration authorities (ICE) if someone in custody is suspected of lacking legal status and is wanted by ICE. Sheriff Keybo Taylor of Gwinnett County has spoken out against the law, saying, “We do not support HB 1105, but we are legally required to comply.” He points out that the law’s vague language creates confusion and legal problems for his office.
How the Law Works in Gwinnett County
- No Immigration Checks During Stops: Officers do not ask about immigration status during routine stops. Status is only checked after someone is booked into jail.
- ICE Detainers: If a person cannot prove legal status after being booked, the Sheriff’s Office shares their information with ICE’s Law Enforcement Support Center. If ICE issues a detainer, the person is held for ICE pickup, as required by HB 1105.
- No 287(g) Agreement: Gwinnett County does not have a 287(g) agreement, which would allow local officers to enforce federal immigration law. Instead, the county is seeking a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Homeland Security to stay in line with HB 1105, but details are not public.
Community Concerns and Recent Events
Community groups, like Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, argue that HB 1105 will make immigrants less likely to report crimes or work with police. They say the law could lead to racial profiling and unfair treatment. The recent detention of journalist Mario Guevara, who was held by ICE even after local charges were dropped, has become a symbol of these worries.
Sheriff Taylor’s office held a meeting with community leaders and civil rights groups on July 28, 2025, to discuss the law’s rollout. The Sheriff stressed transparency and public safety but later said some public comments misrepresented what was discussed.
Policy Implications and Future Outlook
Both the Sheriff’s Office and advocates agree that HB 1105’s unclear language makes it tough to enforce fairly. This could lead to lawsuits and calls for lawmakers to clarify or change the law. The law also comes as federal policy under President Trump has increased ICE’s daily arrest quota, putting more pressure on local agencies.
Gwinnett County, where nearly 14% of residents are non-U.S. citizens, is at the center of these debates. The Sheriff’s Office promises to keep talking with the community and be open about how it handles the law. Civil rights groups plan to keep pushing for clear rules and better protection of due process.
For official updates and resources, visit the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing debate over HB 1105 highlights the need for clear laws that protect both public safety and civil rights. For more on immigration law, the U.S. government’s ICE Detainers page offers further details.
Learn Today
HB 1105 → A Georgia law requiring local police to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement starting July 1, 2025.
ICE Detainers → Requests from ICE to hold a person in custody beyond release, pending federal immigration action.
287(g) Agreement → A program allowing local officers to enforce federal immigration laws under ICE supervision.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) → An agreement outlining cooperation terms between local agencies and federal authorities.
Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) → ICE division aiding local law enforcement with immigration status verifications.
This Article in a Nutshell
Georgia’s HB 1105 mandates local police to assist ICE with detainees lacking legal status, stirring community fear and legal confusion. Gwinnett’s Sheriff opposes the vague law yet must comply, highlighting tensions between law enforcement duties and immigrant rights protections as debates intensify.
— By VisaVerge.com
