Politics and Policy

Changing demographics, changing politics and policies.

At the Georgia Capitol, advocates mark an uneasy anniversary for DACA

Now in its 12th year, the Obama-era program provides protection to the children of undocumented immigrants. But it’s currently facing legal challenges—and in GA, over 20,000 DACA recipients still don’t have a path to permanent status.

Latest in Politics and Policy
“No Kings” protests take place in metro Atlanta, drawing thousands of demonstrators

At Atlantic Station in midtown, hundreds gathered with signs showing support for immigrants

“They will leave me an envelope with all the documents and passports of my siblings so that I can become their legal guardian”

285 South spoke with children of farmworkers who gathered at the Georgia Capitol; many described steps their families were taking to protect themselves from immigration officials.

“We have to preserve our culture, our language, our religion, and we have to make some special efforts”

Georgia State House approves resolution recognizing the Punjabi language

How laws affecting immigrant communities are faring in this year’s legislative session

The Georgia General Assembly recently passed Crossover Day, a critical deadline for legislation to have any chance at becoming law. Here are the bills that local immigrant advocacy orgs have their eyes on.

“We hope that we don’t have to tell them that we can’t pay the rent for March.”

Amid federal funding freeze, local refugee resettlement agency lays off staff, worried about rental payments for newly arrived families

President Trump expected to sign Laken Riley Act into law, and Latino community members in Athens say they’re “scared” but “trying to live a normal life”

The bill was approved by the Senate on Monday, supported by both Georgia Senators, and now moves on to the House. It authorizes the arrest and detention of undocumented immigrants who have been accused of crime.

Education, policing, and free speech: Immigrant communities prepare for Georgia’s 2025 legislative session

In 2024, lawmakers passed controversial legislation requiring local law enforcement to report undocumented detainees to federal officials. This year, advocates fear more anti-immigrant measures are in the works.

“I think we’re going to need all the support that we can get in the next four years”

The returning president has promised mass deportations, expanded workplace raids, and a crackdown on protest. Here’s how some Atlanta-area immigrant-rights groups are getting their communities organized.

How candidates with immigrant backgrounds fared in Georgia’s elections

As of 2023, Georgia boasted more AAPI legislators than anywhere in the country—a reflection of how immigrant communities are transforming the state’s demographics and politics. Here’s how immigrant candidates performed this year in key races.