Midterms: In Georgia, more than a dozen candidates with roots across the world are up for state office
285 South asked them about what they plan to do to support their immigrant constituents.
Georgia’s increasingly diverse state legislature could get even more so – depending on how the midterm elections shake out. In recent years, the state has had four Muslim state legislators, and a growing number of lawmakers with Asian, Latino, and African heritage – hailing from family backgrounds as diverse as Palestine, Vietnam, India, and Colombia. In 2022, 11 Asian American lawmakers were elected to the state legislature; shortly after they started one of the country’s largest state Asian American and Pacific Islander caucuses. The Georgia Hispanic Caucus was established that same year, with seven members.
Some of those lawmakers, almost all of whom are running as Democrats – apart from two who are Republican- are up for re-election and others with immigrant backgrounds are hoping to serve in the legislature for the first time.
They reflect Georgia’s changing demographics – nearly 12 percent of the state is foreign born, and in some counties, it’s much higher. In Atlanta’s suburbs, districts have grown increasingly diverse – and increasingly blue – over the last two decades, with the state’s growing Asian and Latino communities. In Gwinnett, for example, nearly 30 percent of the population was born outside of the U.S., half of them are naturalized citizens and able to vote in these midterms.
285 South reached out to some of these candidates who are in competitive races to understand how they hope to tackle the myriad challenges faced by the first and second generation immigrant constituents they are hoping to represent, from ICE enforcement to benefit cuts, to a climate of fear amongst immigrants and their families.
Here’s what those who responded wrote back to us (their answers have been edited for brevity):
285 South: Georgia’s HB1105 requires local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE; this has led to GA ranking fourth in the country for total ICE arrests. Since the law went into effect, data shows there’s been an increase in the detention of immigrants without criminal records. If elected to the state legislature, how will you ensure your immigrant constituents’ rights are protected and their families are safe?
Gabriel Sanchez, running for House District 42, which covers parts of Cobb County, including Mableton and Austell:
As a proud son of Colombian immigrants, I and our community are horrified by the fascist attacks against our community by ICE and by this administration – including from Republicans on the state and local level. The cruelty and racism must end, and we must hold accountable those who are violating people’s constitutional and human rights. I have introduced legislation to ban masks for ICE, and co-sponsored legislation banning them from schools, hospitals, and places of worship. I have also helped several detainees get released after being wrongfully detained. We must repeal HB 1105 and ensure a fair, just pathway to citizenship for immigrants doing the right thing. I also intend to introduce legislation to help ensure immigrants’ rights are protected when driving and more.
I currently have an Immigrant Liaison on staff who can help with immigration issues, and they can be contacted at immigration@sanchezforgeorgia.com if you or someone you know needs help or resources.
*Andre Stafford, who is running as the Republican candidate, did not respond to our requests.*
Michelle Kang, Running for House District 99, which includes Suwanee, Sugar Hill, and Duluth in Gwinnett County:
As a first-generation Korean American immigrant, I believe every immigrant family deserves to feel safe, respected, and at home, regardless of their background or immigration status.
I will fight to repeal HB 1105 and push for legislation like HB 1053, which sought to roll back mandatory cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Local police should focus on keeping our communities safe—not be forced to serve as an extension of federal immigration enforcement.
No family should have to choose between calling the police when they need help and risking separation from their loved ones. I will bring immigrant communities’ voices into policymaking and stand up for a Georgia where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect, regardless of where they were born or what language they speak.
*Rep. Matt Reeves, who is running as the Republican candidate, did not respond to our requests.*
Jyot Singh, Running for House District 97, which include Duluth and surrounding areas in Gwinnett County:
When a law meant to target people with criminal records instead sweeps up people over traffic stops, we need to ask who it’s actually making safer. I’ll push to repeal HB 1105’s requirements that local law enforcement cooperate with ICE and support legislation keeping immigration enforcement out of schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
*Yassin Moghazy, who is running as the Republican candidate, did not respond to our requests.*
Rahim Asani, Running for House District 108, which includes Lilburn, and Mountain Park in Gwinnett County:
Last September, agents shackled 475 workers at the Hyundai plant in Coastal Georgia and a year later, not one charge has been filed. The system is broken, and mass deportation isn’t making us safer; it’s making our communities live in fear. In the legislature, I’ll work to repeal Georgia’s abusive, restrictive laws, restore local control, and push for real immigration reform that protects dignity. This is what the State Legislature should do.
*Elvia Davila-Pelayo who is running as the Republican candidate, did not respond to our requests.*
285 South: ICE enforcement in our state is having ripple impacts – leaving families without income after a loved one is detained, adding to a climate of fear which is leading some people to forgo going to work or sending their kids to school. What will you do to address these ripple impacts that ICE enforcement is having in your district?
Michelle Kang, Running for House District 99, which includes Suwanee, Sugar Hill, and Duluth in Gwinnett County:
My response will start with consistent presence. I will work with immigrant-led organizations, schools, health providers, and community groups to hear directly from affected families and help connect them with food, housing, legal, and mental-health resources.
I will push for expanded language access in schools, health care, and public services so that families can understand their options and seek assistance in a language they understand. My office will work with trusted community partners to make constituent services accessible and responsive.
I will also advocate for immigrant-owned small businesses and equal access to public programs and resources. Supporting immigrant communities means recognizing not only the hardships families face, but also the businesses, jobs, and neighborhood relationships they sustain.
Most importantly, immigrant residents must have a voice in the decisions affecting them. I will host multilingual town halls and listening sessions, meet regularly with immigrant-led organizations and small-business owners, and use what I hear to shape my legislative priorities.
Jyot Singh, Running for House District 97, which include Duluth and surrounding areas in Gwinnett County:
When someone is detained, the impact doesn’t stop with that person. A family can lose a paycheck overnight. Kids may be scared to go to school, and people may put off medical care because they’re worried about what could happen. No parent should have to choose between taking their child to the doctor and feeling safe.
Rahim Asani, Running for House District 108, which includes Lilburn, and Mountain Park in Gwinnett County:
I have to be truthful with my constituents. A state representative can’t override federal or existing state enforcement. What I can do — and will — is stand with the Know Your Rights trainings and the legal advocates who have sacrificed so much for our immigrant communities and make sure that information reaches every family in my district. I intend to be an advocate and an ally, not just at election time.
I will continue to partner with the organizations who believe in the dignity of all.
285 South: Thousands of immigrants and refugees have lost SNAP and Medicaid benefits after the Trump Administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) went into effect in 2025. Because of that, hundreds of families are struggling to afford groceries, pay rent, and access the healthcare they need. If you’re elected to the state legislature, what specific actions will you take to ensure your impacted constituents get the support they need?
Michelle Kang, Running for House District 99, which includes Suwanee, Sugar Hill, and Duluth in Gwinnett County:
Georgia is sitting on a $9.3 billion undesignated surplus. It is a failure of public service when families in our communities cannot afford groceries, pay rent, or access the healthcare they need.
Healthcare is a human right, and no family should have to choose between putting food on the table and filling a prescription.
First, I will advocate for state funding to strengthen food assistance, community healthcare, prescription assistance, and housing-stability programs. Second, I will push to expand language access throughout the benefits process, including clear, understandable notices, interpretation services, and assistance navigating applications and appeals. Third, I will fight to expand Medicaid in Georgia. Georgia continues to leave many low-income adults without affordable health coverage. I will advocate for expanding Medicaid eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty level, consistent with the Affordable Care Act, so more eligible Georgians can access preventive care, treatment, and prescription medications instead of going without care because they cannot afford it.
Jyot Singh, Running for House District 97, which include Duluth and surrounding areas in Gwinnett County:
If Washington cuts food and healthcare assistance, Georgia shouldn’t just shrug and leave families to figure it out alone. We have an alleged surplus in state resources, and I want us to use them to meet real needs. I’ll fight to expand Medicaid, strengthen food assistance and local food-security programs, and make it easier for families to find out what support they still qualify for.
Rahim Asani, Running for House District 108, which includes Lilburn, and Mountain Park in Gwinnett County:
We’re already seeing it in Gwinnett: longer lines at food banks, and churches, mosques, and temples straining to feed working families who lost benefits. I support that solidarity and mutual aid, but families deserve policy action too: expanding Medicaid, targeted tax relief for working families, protecting tenants from abuse by landlords, and a Department of Labor that actually helps bring jobs to lower-income communities.
*Andre Stafford, Rep. Matt Reeves, Yassin Moghazy and Elvia Davila-Pelayo did not respond to 285 South’s request.*
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