Pierce County detained six undocumented people in the first quarter of 2025, according to a report filed under the new Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act.
The law was signed by Governor Brian Kemp last year and took effect January 1, 2025.
The law requires that all county jails, municipal detention facilities and the Georgia Department of Corrections submit quarterly reports that track incarcerated, undocumented individuals.
“We are complying with the law and this is our first report,” said Sheriff Ramsey Bennett.
According to the report Pierce County booked 259 inmates from Jan. 1-March 31. Of those, eight were referred to the Law Enforcement Support Center for inmates who may possibly be undocumented individuals. Of those eight, six were determined to be illegal aliens. Of those six, two were placed under the jurisdiction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The law applies to individuals who are arrested or are the subject of a traffic stop.
State and local law enforcement agencies will be required to notify federal authorities, such as ICE, when an undocumented individual is arrested. Under the new law, law enforcement are required to check the immigration status of detainees in custody.
