Atlanta council resolution targets ICE detention centers
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Atlanta City Council member Kelsea Bond wants to draw a line in the sand against Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers inside the city limits.
Why it matters: Plans to operate immigration detention centers in Social Circle and elsewhere are prompting local officials to consider measures to limit ICE activity within their jurisdictions.
Zoom in: Bond's resolution would prohibit ICE from receiving city resources like property or tax incentives and state the city's outright opposition to the detention centers in Atlanta proper.
- The city could not, however, block the federal agency from purchasing privately owned land. South Fulton recently passed a measure to keep ICE out of the city.
Zoom out: Advocates are urging Mayor Andre Dickens to protect residents amid concerns of ICE stepping up arrests during the FIFA World Cup. Dickens has said the agency is "not invited" to the global event.
Context: ICE is already detaining people in a South Downtown field office, according to the AJC. Bond did not respond to Axios' request about whether they have heard any discussion of locating a detention center inside Atlanta.
What they're saying: "In light of heightened attacks on our immigrant neighbors, there has never been a more important time for Atlanta to take a stand and refuse to let [President] Trump's fascistic tactics take hold in our city," Bond, the first Democratic Socialist elected to Council, said in a statement.
What's next: The legislation now heads to the public safety committee.