A new report funded by the Sapelo Foundation reveals the adverse impact of immigration enforcement on children in Georgia. The report focuses specifically on local law enforcement programs working in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The complex interplay between immigration, child welfare, and family law in cases where children came to the attention of Georgia’s foster care system is also discussed.
The report provides a number of recommendations to minimize the negative effects of immigration enforcement measures on children in Georgia. In addition to urging the passage of federal comprehensive immigration reform, the report makes several recommendations for state, county and local law enforcement agencies as well as child welfare agencies regarding improved practice and reporting requirements for children involved in these systems.