In Middle Georgia, Houston County Detains More People For ICE Than Surrounding Counties Combined

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Adrian Saucedo-Luviano is awaiting his date in immigration court after he was pulled over by Houston County Police in April 2018. / Center for Collaborative Journalism / GPB

Police aren't required by law to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigration control. It's a choice.

Athens-Clarke County recently joined at least seven other Georgia communities that refuse to honor ICE detainers. That’s when ICE asks local jails to hold people they’ve booked until ICE agents can come get them.

It’s a different story elsewhere in Georgia, a recent investigation found. According to an article reported by On Second Thought's Adam Ragusea and his journalism students at Mercer University's Center for Collaborative Journalism, some cities and counties eagerly cooperate with ICE.

On Second Thought host Adam Ragusea and Mercer University student journalist Vanessa Alva report on immigration control in middle Georgia.

We heard more about that investigation of Houston County immigration enforcement practices from Adam and his student Vanessa Alva. Alva is a journalism and political science major at Mercer University. She's also an immigrant pursuing her own path to citizenship.

Click here to read the full investigation.