![Doug Collins](https://www.gpb.org/sites/default/files/styles/flexheight/public/2024-08/image_8.jpeg?itok=ybdv_IzA)
Caption
Former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins advocated for stricter border policies at an event in Northeast Georgia on Aug. 20, 2024.
Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News
LISTEN: Georgia Republican leaders encouraged voters to choose former President Donald Trump at an event in Northeast Georgia. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.
Former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins advocated for stricter border policies at an event in Northeast Georgia on Aug. 20, 2024.
Georgia Republican leaders called for stricter border policies and encouraged voters to choose former President Donald Trump at an Aug. 20 event in Northeast Georgia.
The Republican political leaders were joined by local sheriffs at the event at Jaemor Farms in Hall County. They advocated for a second Trump term, citing safety, immigration policy and inflation as reasons to vote for the former president.
Habersham County Sherriff Joey Terrell said that he is hopeful stricter border policies could slow the flow of drug trafficking into the U.S.
"We all deal with the side effects of it," he said. "And not only that, we deal with the families. The ones who love — lose loved ones. And it's not just drug cartels. It's all gangs are tied into drugs."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows illegal border crossings have decreased 30% between June and July, hitting a low since President Biden took office.