As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues federal immigration enforcement across Georgia, cities should take steps now to prepare by establishing clear lines of communication and ensuring local resources are in place to respond effectively. DHS also faces a funding lapse as negotiations over full-year spending remain stalled in Congress, pushing the partial shutdown into day 7.
Cities should take steps now to prepare on both fronts.
Preparing Your City for Immigration Enforcement
As DHS continues enforcement activity across the state, cities should establish clear lines of communication and ensure local resources are in place to respond effectively.
- Coordinate with local law enforcement. Ensure your police department has a communication plan that connects officers, city officials, and the community so everyone understands their roles when federal enforcement activity occurs.
- Federal Law vs Local Law. Federal law governs immigration enforcement. Local officials should consult their city attorney to understand what obligations and limitations apply to municipal employees and facilities, and communicate that guidance clearly to staff.
- Communicate with residents. When enforcement activity increases, residents look to local officials for guidance. Prepare clear, factual messaging that lets your community know your city has a plan and who to contact with questions.
- Contact your congressional delegation. Your U.S. House member's district staff and both U.S. Senate offices' regional staff are valuable resources for federal agency coordination and information sharing. Contact GMA Federal Relations Manager Molly McLoughlin for help connecting with the right contacts.
- Allocate local resources. Consider designating a community point of contact for resident questions, ensuring city staff have legal guidance on their responsibilities, and having language access services available for non-English-speaking residents.
DHS Partial Shutdown
Senate leaders and the White House have made little headway on negotiations over full-year DHS funding. Georgia cities could face growing consequences from the funding lapse, including delays in emergency management support, disaster recovery assistance, and critical infrastructure protection. Administrative backlogs and delays in federal resources and reimbursements could also become more pronounced without an agreement in Congress.
Though ICE received approximately $75 billion through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and can continue operating under that funding, federal immigration enforcement could still face reduced coordination, limited administrative support, and potential delays in information sharing. This means local governments and their law enforcement agencies could face increased operational demands related to federal enforcement actions, including impacts on policing, emergency response, and community relations, without additional federal funding or reimbursement.