Here’s what could happen next.
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) is sounding the alarm and calling for a major surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement resources into Atlanta, warning that Georgia families are now facing record-level threats from illegal immigrants — including individuals with long, violent criminal histories.
Carter, a 2026 U.S. Senate candidate, credited Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE director Todd Lyons for their role in supporting President Trump’s border-security efforts. However, he emphasized that much more needs to be done — particularly in tracking down and removing criminal illegal immigrants still residing in Georgia.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, an estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants are living in Georgia — a stunning 45% increase since 2018. For Georgia’s conservative voters and law-abiding residents, this surge raises serious concerns about public safety, national security, and the long-term consequences of unchecked illegal immigration.
Carter made his position clear: “Every person who is here illegally has broken the law. Anything less than full enforcement invites a culture of lawlessness and rising crime.”
Criminal Illegal Immigrants Highlight the Urgent Need for Action
Carter pointed to several tragic and avoidable cases that underscore the severity of the crisis. One example is Salvador Rodriguez-Mendoza, a Mexican national with an active warrant in Clayton County for murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A Department of Homeland Security press release revealed that Rodriguez-Mendoza had a long criminal record including drunk driving offenses, drug possession, driving without a license, and driving with a suspended license. Even more alarming, he had been deported in 2000 and 2018, yet managed to re-enter the country a third time.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called him a “heinous criminal” who would no longer pose a threat once ICE takes custody following the conclusion of his Georgia case.
Carter also cited another devastating incident: the brutal murder of a Georgia mother of five — a crime committed by an illegal immigrant from Honduras. These cases, he argues, are preventable tragedies caused by years of weak enforcement and political indifference in Washington.
Georgia Communities Are Pleading for Federal Help
Carter’s letter to Secretary Noem and Director Lyons emphasized that Georgia citizens are demanding stronger federal action. Local law enforcement agencies, already stretched thin, need direct assistance from ICE to keep communities safe and ensure that immigration laws are followed.
“Residents are clamoring for federal support,” Carter wrote. “They want real solutions that protect families, uphold the law, and restore public safety.”
Federal agents have recently intensified operations in major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, part of President Trump’s plan to deport up to 2 million illegal immigrants nationwide before the end of 2025 — with a special focus on violent offenders.
This push for stronger enforcement comes after nearly 8 million migrants entered the country during Joe Biden’s presidency through a mix of loopholes, parole programs, and unlawful border crossings. Many voters believe this crisis helped fuel the tragic murder of nursing student Laken Riley, whose death sparked national outrage and galvanized support for Trump’s tougher immigration agenda.
Carter’s Senate Race Heats Up as Immigration Dominates Voter Concerns
Carter is currently in a competitive GOP primary race against Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and former football coach Derek Dooley. RealClearPolitics polling shows Collins at 28.3%, Carter at 18.7%, and Dooley at 12%.
Immigration and border security are expected to be defining issues in 2026, especially for older conservative voters who consistently rank public safety, national security, and law enforcement as top concerns.
By positioning himself closely with President Trump’s aggressive deportation strategy, Carter is appealing directly to Georgia voters who want stronger borders, safer communities, and real accountability after years of failed policies.
With Trump preparing a major new ICE operation, the pressure is on federal officials to deliver results — and Carter is making it clear that Georgia must be at the top of the list.