Metro Atlanta officials try to ease doubts after ICE arrests stoke fear in immigrant communities

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Officials in some of Metro Atlanta’s most diverse communities are trying to ease uncertainty following recent arrests by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) in the metro.

Buford Highway is home to restaurants and shops owned or employed by hundreds of immigrants.

“All the cultures on this highway, I even drive down here to get emissions test, I do all kinds of things on Buford we shop at some of the local little stores,” said Anne Jones.

The area was the target of ICE operations with officers seen in Chamblee and Brookhaven.

“I’m hearing stories of people afraid of going out eating or going out to stores and I’m even hearing some reports of some kids not showing up to school. It’s very concerning,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Park.

Park says they were not involved or notified about the arrests. He says he’s worried the recent events will have devastating effects on their relationship with the immigrant community.

“My concern they will group us to all the other agencies, and we will have to work harder to re-establish that trust,” Park said.

Javier Diaz de Leon, Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta, said the arrests are not random.

“We have not seen any evidence that a widespread raid is happening. What is going on is focused operations that the immigration authorities in this region are going for the detention for specifics individuals that have a process or there’s a deportation order. Nothing like widespread operations,” he said.

People like De Leon and Park are trying to alleviate ongoing fear.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty. There’s a lot of concern,” said Park.

Park says the City of Brookhaven must and will comply with state and government laws but are trying to help the immigrant community regain a sense of belonging.

“We are Brookhaven. We are strong and we are together,” he said.

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