The term “sanctuary city” has gained renewed attention in Georgia following the killing of nursing student Laken Riley. While there’s no legal definition, sanctuary cities often limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, such as declining to honor immigration detainers for minor offenses.
Georgia has five jurisdictions listed as sanctuary areas, including Atlanta and Athens-Clarke County. However, Columbia County, also on the list, disputes the label, recently issuing a proclamation denying sanctuary status. In May, Georgia enacted HB 1105, requiring sheriffs to notify federal immigration authorities about suspected undocumented individuals in custody, sparked by Riley’s death.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged mass deportations, labeling undocumented immigration a national emergency. Meanwhile, 13 states, including California and New York, have declared themselves sanctuaries, offering robust protections to immigrants despite federal enforcement pressures.
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