ATLANTA – After rumors swirled online about ICE raids in Georgia, it has been confirmed that arrests in metro Atlanta are underway as of Jan. 26, 2025.
RELATED: ICE raid rumors in Georgia: Are police departments partnering with federal officials to depot migrants?
ICE raid rumors in Georgia swirl
Police in at least two metro-Atlanta cities want to shut down rumors. Forest Park and Clayton County police say someone on social media falsely claims they’re working with federal immigration officials to conduct immigration-status checks. The departments of both cities say that is not true.
ICE begins raids in Georgia
What they’re saying:
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with federal partners including the FBI, ATF and DEA, began conducting enhanced targeted operations today in Atlanta to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities,” a spokesperson for ICE said in a statement.
“Working with @HSIAtlanta and other law enforcement partners to arrest and remove criminal aliens that threaten our communities #iCE #immigration,” the Enforcement and Removal Operations office tweeted Sunday evening.
What we know:
On Sunday, an ICE spokesperson specified that targeted operations are happening in Atlanta.
FBI Atlanta, Homeland Security Investigations’ Atlanta office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Drug Enforcement Administration are confirmed to be involved.
“Removing criminal aliens from our communities isn’t just enforcement—it’s protection. Ensuring the safety and security of our neighborhoods starts with upholding the law. #PublicSafety #CommunityFirst,” HSI Atlanta tweeted with a photo of what appeared to be an arrest being made at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The DEA confirmed via X that they assisted with immigration enforcement efforts in Atlanta, Savannah and Cartersville on Sunday:
There are also confirmed ongoing operations in Chicago.
What we don’t know:
Not much is known at that moment.
-It is not clear how many local law enforcement agencies are aiding in the operations.
It’s also not clear how many people have been taken into custody so far.
Trump mass deportation plan takes flight across U.S.
The backstory:
Ahead of both terms, President Donald Trump has consistently campaigned on the promise to crack down on illegal immigration in the U.S.
Trump sends 1,500 troops to southern border with executive order
The Trump administration is sending active-duty troops to the southern border just days after President Donald Trump declared a national border emergency.
On Inauguration Day, a number of his executive orders were geared toward beefing up security at the southern border.
ICE raids: How many people have been arrested, deported?
By the numbers:
ICE has been keeping a tally of how many arrests have been made each day. On Sunday night, it was confirmed that 956 people were arrested, and 554 detainers were lodged.
Over the last few days, at least six mass deportation flights have been made from the U.S. to Mexico or Gautemala.
ICE completes 6 deportation flights in just days
The U.S. State Department announced six deportation flights have been completed in accordance to President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Four flights went to Mexico and two to Guatemala. The U.S. government will now require asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their application is processed.
This story is developing. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email [email protected].
The Source: The information in this article was confirmed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
