ACLU of Georgia Calls for an Immediate End to the 287(g) Program in Cobb County

Press conference will be Friday, May 14th, 2 p.m., Plaza Fiesta

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org

Atlanta – The ACLU of Georgia today called for an immediate end to the 287(g) program in Cobb County in light of the Cobb Sheriff’s misplaced priorities and abusing the power granted to him under this program, as illustrated by handling the case of Jessica Colotl. The ACLU of Georgia is in contact with the Department of Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Division and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in relation to this demand.

“Jessica’s case is yet another outrageous example of the unaccountable local enforcement of immigration laws in Cobb County gone awry,” said Azadeh Shahshahani, ACLU of Georgia National Security/Immigrants’ Rights Project Director. “It is past time to put an immediate end to the 287(g) program in Cobb, which has led to racial profiling and the targeting of hard working members of the community, the separation of families, and the creation of an atmosphere of terror among immigrant communities in Cobb. 287(g) in Cobb has led to a less safe community for us all.”

The ACLU contacted the Department of Homeland Security on Jessica’s behalf, in light of the concern that the 287(g) program was being misused to target a bright college student in spite of what ICE has repeatedly claimed to be the program’s aim: targeting perpetrators of the most dangerous crimes.

An ACLU of Georgia report released in October 2009 recounted stories of 10 community members in Cobb and their families impacted by 287(g). The report entitled, “Terror and Isolation in Cobb: How Unchecked Police Power under 287(g) had Torn Families Apart and Threatened Public Safety,” can be found here: www.acluga.org/287gReport.pdf

The press conference will be Friday, May 14th, at 2 p.m. The ACLU of Georgia will be joined by Jessica Colotl’s attorneys and other human rights groups.