Columbia County commissioners are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a proclamation declaring the county a non-sanctuary area.
The proclamation states that the county “affirms its commitment to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in accordance with the law.”
This action comes two weeks after Columbia County was added to a list of sanctuary cities following complaints from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal agency claims that Columbia County, along with other areas across the nation, provides limited cooperation in holding illegal immigrants for deportation.
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County Manager Scott Johnson stated that Columbia County complies with state law by notifying ICE immediately when an individual in the country illegally is arrested. However, if ICE agents do not arrive within 48 hours of the bond being met, the individual is released.
“We are doing everything we can do,” Johnson said.
Johnson highlighted Georgia House Bill 1105, signed by Governor Brian Kemp in May, which contains confusing language regarding the 48-hour release rule.
The bill states: “If the LESC of the United States Department of Homeland Security responds to contact pursuant to this paragraph with a request to detain an illegal alien, he or she shall not be released within 48 hours of receipt of such request; provided, however, that if such person was released prior to such request to detain, such fact shall be communicated to the LESC of the United States Department of Homeland Security.”
Earlier this week, the county issued a statement indicating that the county attorney has contacted both the website promoting the ICE Sanctuary list and ICE to request removal from the list.
