Local lawmakers, others launch ‘pro-enforcement immigration caucus'
ATLANTA (WSAV) — Georgia lawmakers officially launched a new group that's working to advance immigration enforcement efforts, a Georgia House of Representative press release said Friday.
The Pro-Enforcement Immigration Caucus was founded by local State Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah).
'This caucus is dedicated to strengthening immigration enforcement and ensuring the rule of law is upheld throughout Georgia,' said Petrea. 'Our focus will remain on making certain that the safety, security and well-being of our communities are always a top priority.'
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge for Georgia and Alabama, Steven Schrank, spoke about House Bill 1105, which he said has facilitated unprecedented cooperation between immigration enforcement and local law enforcement agencies.
He also reportedly discussed workforce and human rights violations by employers violating the law to include recent arrests in Cartersville and Savannah, the press release said.
The caucus was founded by House Human Relations and Aging Committee Chairman Petrea and includes 10 other members, Houston Gaines (R-Athens), Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys), Gary Richardson (R-Evans), Kimberly New (R-Villa Rica), Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), Rey Martinez (R-Loganville), Rob Clifton (R-Evans), Mike Cameron (R-Rossville) and State Senator Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville).
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Judge says government must release Mahmoud Khalil
The Brief A federal judge ruled that ICE must release Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student and recent Columbia graduate, unless the government appeals within 40 hours. Khalil, a green card holder, was detained in March by DHS agents and held in Louisiana for his involvement in pro-Palestinian campus protest. The Trump administration argues Khalil's activism threatens U.S. foreign policy interests, but has not alleged criminal conduct or presented evidence linking him to extremist groups. NEW YORK - A federal judge has ruled that the government must release Mahmoud Khalil, the former Columbia University student who has been in ICE custody for over two months over pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The government has 40 hours to appeal the decision; until then, Khalil will remain in custody, likely through at least Friday. MORE: Mahmoud Khalil update: Government must provide evidence in case Wednesday, judge says MORE: Over 80 arrested after anti-ICE protest erupts in NYC: 'We will not tolerate chaos' MORE: Lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil urge judge to release him from ICE custody in Louisiana "The court's decision is the most significant vindication yet of Mahmoud's rights," said Ramzi Kassem, co-director of CLEAR, a legal nonprofit and clinic at the City University of New York that represents Khalil. "But we aren't out of the woods until Mahmoud is free and back home with his wife and child." Timeline The Trump administration has been pushing to deport Khalil and other student demonstrators over their involvement in campus protests against Israel. "We gave you a visa to study and earn a degree, not to become a social activist and tear up our university campuses," Sen. Marco Rubio said shortly after Khalil's arrest. Khalil, a 30-year-old Palestinian by ethnicity who was born in Syria, was arrested back on March 8 in New York and taken to a detention center in Louisiana. The immigration detention center in Jena, Louisiana, is thousands of miles from his attorneys and wife (a U.S. citizen), who gave birth to their first child while he was in custody. He recently finished his coursework for a master's degree at Columbia's school of international affairs. The backstory Khalil has adamantly rejected allegations of antisemitism, accusing the Trump administration in a letter sent from jail last month of "targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent." "Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances," he added, "I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child." Facing a deadline from an immigration judge to turn over evidence for its attempted deportation of Khalil, the federal government submitted a brief memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing the Trump administration's authority to expel non-citizens whose presence in the country damages U.S. foreign policy interests. The two-page memo, which was obtained by the Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by Khalil. Rather, Rubio wrote, Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs. Judge Farbiarz had ruled earlier that expelling Khalil from the U.S. on those grounds was likely unconstitutional. Big picture view The Trump administration has pulled billions of dollars in government funding from universities and their affiliated hospital systems in recent weeks as part of what it says is a campaign against antisemitism on college campuses, but which critics say is a crackdown on free speech. To get the money back, the administration has been telling universities to punish protesters and make other changes. The U.S. government has also been revoking the visas of international students who criticized Israel or accused it of mistreating Palestinians. At the time of Khalil's arrest, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson accused Khalil of leading activities "aligned to Hamas," referring to the militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But the government has not produced any evidence linking Khalil to Hamas, and made no reference to the group in their most recent filing.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Seattle mayor urges peaceful protests, warns against fueling Trump narrative
The Brief Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is urging peaceful protests in Seattle, saying violence is what Trump wants to "spin his false narrative" about the city. An anti-ICE rally is set to take place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Cal Anderson Park. A national "NO KINGS" demonstration is planned for Saturday, President Trump's birthday. SEATTLE - Mayor Bruce Harrell is urging Seattle protesters to remain peaceful, warning that violence and property damage would reinforce a narrative President Donald Trump could use to misrepresent the city. As the nation witnesses violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement in Los Angeles, people in other cities, like Seattle, are holding similar rallies in solidarity. This week alone, Seattle has already seen anti-ICE demonstrations at the Federal Building and pro-Palestine rallies at the U-District light rail station urging the University of Washington to cut ties with Boeing due to the company's military contracts with Israel. More protests are expected in the coming days. "The Trump administration's actions in Los Angeles are an extreme and egregious overreach of federal authority meant to escalate tensions and distract from his failures to live up to the promises he hasn't delivered on," the Mayor wrote in part. "We disagree with Trump's ICE policy of mass deportations that has already been on full display in American communities with arrests, detentions, and deportations often occurring in violation of due process." An anti-ICE rally is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Seattle's Cal Anderson Park, calling on the federal government to stop the deportations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). What they're saying "The people of Los Angeles and surrounding areas have taken a courageous stand against Trump's reign of terror targeting immigrant families," wrote Party of Socialism and Liberation (PSL) wrote in an Instagram post. "In response, the administration has falsely labeled those taking to the streets in protest of the brutal war on immigrants as "rioters" and called in thousands of National Guard soldiers for a crackdown." The PSL called on protesters not to "let this repression intimidate" the community and encouraged Antifa to "invade Seattle" on Wednesday. Amid recent violence in Los Angeles, Harrell reiterated that violent actions would only serve to justify Trump's policies. "Seattle strongly supports the First Amendment rights of our residents, and we encourage residents to stand up for their values peacefully," Mayor Harrell wrote. "There is no room for violence. Violence and property damage are exactly what Trump wants to spin his false narrative of our city." Major anti-Trump demonstrations are scheduled across the U.S. on Saturday, June 14, including several in Washington state. The "NO KINGS" campaign is promoting a national day of action to protest what it calls the "increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption" of the Trump administration. The event coincides with President Trump's birthday and is intended to counter a planned military parade in Washington, D.C. What they're saying "In America, we don't put up with would-be kings. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies," read a statement from NO KINGS organizers. "We've watched as they've cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts. They've done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies." In addition to the protest at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle, demonstrations are planned in: Everett Tacoma Olympia Vancouver Spokane Other cities across the state The Source Information in this story comes from an official statement from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, SUPER UW, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, "NO KINGS" demonstration organizers and original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle. Travis Decker manhunt: 'Remote' areas of 5 WA counties told to lock doors Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle Key figures from Bryan Kohberger's youth summoned to Idaho for student murders trial Rochester dog training facility owner accused of killing employee during video shoot To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Alaskans plan widespread pro-democracy protests, joining national movement
Protesters gather outside the Anchorage Correctional Complex on June 11, 2025. It was the second consecutive day that protestors gathered at the jail site in response to Trump administration immigration actions. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) As President Donald Trump orders the U.S. military into Los Angeles to confront protesters there, hundreds of Alaskans are preparing to join pro-democracy rallies planned for Saturday. At least 18 events are scheduled to take place in Alaska, and more than 1,500 are scheduled nationwide as part of the 'No Kings' movement, which is organizing to oppose Trump actions. Dave Musgrave is organizing an event in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, a region north of Anchorage that voted overwhelmingly for Trump last year. 'We want to raise concerns about what this administration is doing. It's very much an authoritarian overreach,' he said by phone. Saturday's events were originally scheduled to counter a military march in Washington, D.C., for Trump's 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. They've taken on a new tone since the president ordered the National Guard and the U.S. Marines to oppose protesters in Los Angeles. 'I think the scene is going to be a gathering of citizens concerned about what has been going on, most recently with Donald Trump sending troops to L.A.,' said Laura Stats, who has been helping organize an event in Juneau, Alaska's capital city. Protests were already taking place in Anchorage on Wednesday against the state's decision to accept people arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Forty-two people were arrested outside the state and flown here by federal officials, according to the Alaska Department of Corrections. The small demonstration taking place on a weekday is expected to be followed by a much larger event on Saturday, outside the Anchorage offices of Alaska's three-person congressional delegation. That demonstration will be followed by a march to the Anchorage Park Strip, where Juneteenth celebrations will be taking place. Lu Dyer is communications director for Stand UP Alaska, which is helping organize the event. 'We're protesting Donald Trump violating democratic norms and fanning the flames of fascism in this country, as well (as) on behalf of all the vulnerable folks in this state and outside of it that are falling victim to the president's self-inflicted chaos,' they said. In Juneau, the rally will take place near the city's landmark whale statue. In Palmer, it will be at the intersection of the Glenn Highway and the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Other towns, including Kotzebue, Nome, Petersburg, Homer, Haines, Glennallen, Fairbanks, Sitka and Ketchikan, are holding their own events, with a full listing of times and locations on the 'No Kings' website. Betsy Brennan, a Nome resident, said organizers there are 'trying to be a presence … and reflect the rallies going on nationwide in a peaceful manner.' Some pro-Trump commentators have accused protesters of being paid for their participation. 'I'm just like, 'You've got to be kidding me,'' said Courtney Moore, a volunteer with Stand UP Alaska, describing one false statement she heard. 'No, I don't get paid. I hate all of this for free. I'm an OG Trump hater since 2016.' Musgrave, who plans to be in Palmer, said he expects events across the state to be peaceful. 'What you're going to find at these rallies are granddads and grannies,' he said. 'These are people that never organized before, and they're worried about their kids and their grandkids … and said, 'I just can't abide this.'' Stats, in Juneau, said she agrees with Musgrave's description. 'We're just regular people. We're just regular folks who want a decent life for our children, for our grandchildren, for our neighbors, for our friends, for people who came to this country in good faith — for people who want a decent life. It feels like that's what's being taken away from us,' she said. Some people who plan to participate in the weekend's rallies said they're worried about the possibility of violence by Trump supporters. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called up that state's National Guard for potential action against protesters in that state. Jessica Bowers, a spokesperson for Gov. Mike Dunleavy, said that when it comes to Alaska, 'At this time, no Alaska National Guard personnel have been activated, nor has a request for activation been made.' Austin McDaniel, communications director for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, said that agency isn't aware of any dangerous or illegal behavior planned as part of the weekend's events. 'Alaskans regularly demonstrate their First Amendment rights peacefully, and we expect the protests this weekend will be no different,' he said. In Anchorage, officers from the city's police department will be near that city's protest and available to help if needed, said Christopher Barraza, deputy director of community relations for APD. 'As far as we're currently aware, they're all supposed to be peaceful protests, but there's always the chance that something could happen,' he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
