ATLANTA –State Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah), chairman of the House Human Relations and Aging Committee, along with other Georgia lawmakers, officially launched the Pro-Enforcement Immigration Caucus, a new group dedicated to advancing immigration enforcement efforts, supporting law enforcement agencies and promoting the rule of law across the state.
“Today, I am honored to join my fellow Georgia lawmakers in officially launching the Pro-Enforcement Immigration Caucus,” said Chairman Petrea. “This caucus is dedicated to strengthening immigration enforcement and ensuring the rule of law is upheld throughout Georgia. Our focus will remain on making certain that the safety, security and well-being of our communities are always a top priority.”
The caucus was founded by Chairman Petrea and includes the following members: House Majority Caucus Vice Chairman, State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens); State Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), chairman of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee; State Representative Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys), chairman of the House Interstate Cooperation Committee; and State Representatives Gary Richardson (R-Evans), Kimberly New (R-Villa Rica), Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), Rey Martinez (R-Loganville), Rob Clifton (R-Evans), Mike Cameron (R-Rossville) and State Senator Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville).
Special Agent in Charge for Georgia and Alabama, Steven Schrank, of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), participated in the launch, providing a federal perspective on the significance of state collaboration in immigration-related investigations and enforcement. He discussed the impact of House Bill 1105, passed during the 2024 legislative session, on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Georgia. According to Schrank, HB 1105 has facilitated unprecedented cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement in Georgia, a development that was not previously in place. He expressed appreciation for the support of the measure, which he noted has enhanced ICE’s ability to protect residents and save lives.
Special Agent Schrank also discussed workforce and human rights violations by employers violating the law to include recent arrests in Cartersville and Savannah.
The caucus plans to continue to pursue legislative solutions that would improve information sharing, empower law enforcement and close policy gaps that would allow unlawful activity to go unchecked.
Representative Jesse Petrea represents the citizens of District 166, which includes portions of Bryan and Chatham counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and currently serves as Chairman of the Human Relations & Aging Committee and Secretary of the Game, Fish and Parks Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and the Health, Industry and Labor, Natural Resources and Environment and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees, as well as the Special Committee on Healthcare.
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