Georgia ICE Enforcement Overview 2025-2026 — HB 1105, 287(g) Surge, 41 Arrests/Day
Why It Matters
Georgia has become one of the most aggressive ICE-enforcement states in the country, driven by a state mandate (HB 1105) that forces local law enforcement into 287(g) agreements. The result is a fast-growing deportation pipeline feeding the state’s three major detention complexes — Stewart (CoreCivic), Folkston (GEO Group), and the contested Social Circle mega-center — plus the disputed Oakwood site.
HB 1105 — The Mandate
Georgia House Bill 1105 (passed 2024) requires police and sheriffs’ departments statewide to request 287(g) agreements with ICE, and lets the state withhold state funding (and state-administered federal funding) from local governments that don’t comply. Since passage, the number of Georgia jurisdictions applying for 287(g) agreements has surged. Project South has characterized HB 1105 as a racial-profiling bill.
287(g) Scale (as of 2026)
- 57 Georgia law enforcement agencies have 287(g) agreements on file with ICE.
- Marietta Police Department formalized its partnership in January 2026, becoming the largest metro Atlanta police force to participate to date.
- Metro Atlanta core counties (Fulton, DeKalb) have largely held out, but surrounding jurisdictions and most rural sheriffs have signed on.
- Advocates describe 287(g) counties “becoming deportation pipelines” — e.g., Whitfield County booked at least 35 people into detention (then transferred to ICE facilities) between February and June.
Arrest Volume
- 41 ICE arrests per day in Georgia in February 2026 — an 85% year-over-year increase.
- Georgia ranked 5th nationally for ICE arrests (Feb 2026); from Jan 20–Jun 10 (2025) Georgia logged 3,280 ICE arrests, 4th most nationwide.
- A large share of arrests now originate from 287(g) encounters during routine police activity (traffic stops, jail bookings).
Detention Footprint
| Facility | County (FIPS) | Operator | Capacity | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stewart | Stewart (13259) | CoreCivic | 2,000+ | 14 deaths since 2006; newest April 28, 2026 |
| Folkston IPC + D. Ray James | Charlton (13049) | GEO Group | 3,000 (post-merger) | nation’s largest after merger |
| Social Circle mega-center | Walton (13297) | ICE (federal) | 7,500–10,000 | in litigation; city sued DHS May 14, 2026 |
| Oakwood (proposed) | Hall (13139) | TBD | TBD | city council voted for stay |
Political Response
- Sen. Raphael Warnock and Sen. Jon Ossoff have pushed legislation to defund Social Circle/Oakwood centers and to require local approval before ICE opens new detention facilities.
- State Sen. Jaha Howard and Councilwoman Helen Zenobia Willis introduced a bill barring state-controlled funds from supporting ICE facility expansion.
- Anti-ICE / anti-287(g) protests are recurring — e.g., a March 30, 2026 “No Kings” rally in Macon ended early over 287(g) tensions.
Sources
- With police help, there are 41 arrests of immigrants per day in Georgia — Capital B Atlanta
- 287(g) counties start becoming deportation pipelines, an advocate in Georgia says — 285 South
- More sheriffs partnering with ICE while metro Atlanta holds out — AJC (July 2025)
- Marietta Police Department confirms partnership with ICE — Atlanta News First (Feb 20, 2026)
- Anti-ICE protesters ended the No Kings rally in Macon early over 287(g) — GPB (Mar 30, 2026)
- HB 1105: Georgia’s Racial Profiling Bill — Project South (fact sheet)
- South Georgia ICE arrests reveal a new reality of immigration enforcement — GPB (Aug 28, 2025)