Rep. Buddy Carter calls for more ICE agents in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter wants more ICE agents in Atlanta.

Carter, a Republican who represents the 1st congressional district on the southeast Georgia coast, sent a letter to acting ICE Administrator Todd Lyons and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, asking them to “increase federal law enforcement resources” in Atlanta.

In the letter, Carter claimed there’s an “urgent need for an enhanced ICE presence in Atlanta,” writing that the federal agents would “protect citizens against record levels of illegal immigrants” and “confront safety concerns.”

“Residents are clamoring for additional federal support, which would greatly assist state and local partners in maintaining public safety and ensuring that immigration laws are properly upheld,” Carter wrote.

In an interview with Atlanta News First on Friday, Carter said: “Let’s make sure we’re on the offensive here and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that metro Atlantans are safe. They deserve that.”

Earlier this month, Atlanta News First sat down with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who said an increased ICE presence is not welcome in the city.

“We don’t want to see troops or ICE or anything taking any kind of stronghold or show of force in the City of Atlanta. Homicides are down 44%. Crime is way down. People feel the safety,” said Dickens in an interview with ANF’s “On The Record.”

You can read the letter below:

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Carter, a self-described “MAGA warrior,” is one of several Republican candidates hoping to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in next year’s midterm elections.

In his letter Thursday, he wrote: “Increasing enforcement presence would help deter unlawful entry, disrupt illegal networks, and uphold the rule of law. A stronger federal role would also help prevent the very real public safety risks that criminals pose and restore confidence in the system designed to keep us safe.”

Carter cited two recent metro Atlanta murder cases that allegedly involved undocumented immigrants, including the killing of a mother of five.

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Some advocates fear the calls for a stronger ICE presence in Atlanta will only lead to fear and anxiety across the Latino-Hispanic community.

“It’s a desperate congressman seeking for attention. He needs to go home and pet a dog or something, rather than ask for ICE activity in Atlanta,” said Jerry Gonzalez, CEO of Galeo Impact Fund.

Gonzalez was critical of the timing of Carter’s letter, just months after a controversial ICE raid in Carter’s district at the Hyundai plant in south Georgia.

“How embarrassing was that for our economic efforts to bring foreign investments into the state? I think the congressman is desperate and this is a sad political ploy,” said Gonzalez.

On Friday, Atlanta News First asked Carter about the Hyundai raid. He said it was “apples to oranges” compared to the raids he’s seeking in Atlanta.

“The Hyundai raid, as the president indicated, was not handled in the best fashion, and we need to do a better job than that,” said Carter.

“But we need to make sure the number-one responsibility of the federal government is to keep our citizens safe, and that’s what we’re trying to do here,” he added.

On Friday, Carter told Atlanta News First that he hasn’t gotten a response from Secretary Noem or ICE since he sent the letter.

Carter also said he has not reached out to Gov. Brian Kemp about his request.

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