ACLU and Other Georgia Groups Calling for End to 287(g) in Cobb

Various human rights organizations in Georgia are renewing their calls to end 287(g).

In late May, the ACLU Foundation of Georgia, the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR), Coalicion de Lideres Latinos (CLILA), and Georgia Detention Watch submitted specific cases to ICE in each of the four counties, including Cobb, currently with a 287(g) agreement.

“As the ACLU of Georgia’s reports on Cobb and Gwinnett and further documentation have illustrated, 287(g) has torn families apart and led to terror and isolation in Georgia communities,” said Azadeh Shahshahani, National Security/Immigrants’ Rights Project Director with the ACLU Foundation of Georgia, in a release.  “It is time for ICE to end this racial profiling program in Georgia.”

 Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren has been named one of the toughest sheriffs in the nation on illegal immigration.

Warren said, "Cobb County has utilized 287(g) as an identification tool and our trained personnel working with ICE staff have done an outstanding job.  It is a partnership, much like those that we achieve with other federal agencies such as the US Marshals, DEA and the Secret Service. Positively identifying those individuals that ICE has a legal interest in has assisted ICE in the their duty to enforce federal statutory requirements in reference to immigration.  The 287(g) process is no different than any other jurisdiction placing a "hold" on an inmate.  Deportation is not a goal or the responsibility of the Cobb County Sheriff's Office.  Accurate identification of those taken into custody and ultimately released back into our community is a legal duty and priority in this agency."

The ACLU of Georgia also has a complaint pending with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (DHS CRCL) asking the agencies to initiate an investigation into racial profiling and discriminatory policing practices in Cobb and Gwinnett.

“Despite the ‘intended’ purpose of the 287(g) program to make our communities safer, in practice, it has done the opposite,” said Adelina Nicholls, Executive Director of GLAHR.  “By essentially condoning racial profiling against immigrants, 287(g) has had devastating consequences:  Many immigrants in Georgia are now fearful of driving, even between work, home, and church, and afraid of reaching out to law enforcement for help.  Entire areas have been deserted following intense enforcement, devastating local businesses.”

The organizations also signed onto a July 16 national letter calling on the Obama Administration to end immigration partnerships with local police in Arizona and states with laws similar to Arizona’s SB1070, including Georgia.

America Gruner, President of CLILA, said “Most people who have been detained in Whitfield County are workers, moms taking their children to school, and students going to classes.  287(g) is unjust, unnecessary, and inhumane.  It has to go.”

The groups’ May 31 submission to ICE can be viewed here:

http://www.acluga.org/287(g)submission-May31-2012.pdf

The ACLU of Georgia’s August 2010 complaint to the DOJ Civil Rights Division and DHS CRCL can be viewed here: http://www.acluga.org/ACLUGAFormalCompliantracialprofilingCobbGwinnett.pdf

The ACLU of Georgia’s report on implementation of 287(g) in Cobb, “Terror and Isolation in Cobb: How Unchecked Police Power under 287(g) Has Torn Families Apart and Threatened Public Safety,” can be viewed here: http://www.acluga.org/racial%20profiling%20Cobb.pdf

The ACLU of Georgia’s report on implementation of 287(g) in Gwinnett, “The Persistence of Racial Profiling in Gwinnett, Time for Accountability, Transparency, and an End to 287(g),” can be viewed here: http://acluga.org/gwinnettracialreportfinal.pdf

The national letter which the Georgia groups signed onto can be viewed here: http://www.rightsworkinggroup.org/sites/default/files/SB1070Letter.pdf