Kevin Riley, Editor in Chief, the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). Photo: AJC
The below LTE was sent Jan 19, 2021. The AJC has abandoned all pretense of honest journalism and this was sent merely to illustrate that fact. I did not expect to see it in print and I did not expect a retraction. The AJC did not even edit their online version. I sent it to the entire leadership team and to the publisher, Donna B. Hall – who did not reply.
Donna B. Hall – Publisher, AJC. Photo: AJC
Dear editor,
Request for retraction
In the entirely unbalanced, celebratory report on Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens ending the lifesaving 287(g) program, the AJC tells readers as a statement of fact “the program originally began to remove terrorists, as well as other violent criminals, from neighborhoods across the country. However, Owens said the program morphed into one that profiled immigrants through traffic stops, which resulted in them being deported on misdemeanor charges.”
While Sheriff Owens – a former Cobb County policeman – is certainly free to smear his fellow law enforcement officers with accusations of profiling, the AJC statement is easily proven false. It’s yet another case of agenda-driven misinformation.
The law passed by congress establishing 287(g) program never limited it to applying only to terrorists or illegal aliens who were arrested for violent crimes. The reality is authority includes “to interrogate any alien or person believed to be an alien as to his right to be or to remain in the United States:”
System working in Oklahoma since 2010 involves no sports betting – misinformation from the liberal AJC has hindered consideration in the past
D.A. King
Georgia voters should be asking why Governor Kemp and all concerned under the Gold Dome are ignoring a proven successful process to create a new revenue stream estimated to add about $100 million to Georgia coffers annually.
It’s a refundable fee on money wired out of the state that has been working in Oklahoma for more than a decade and will not cost state tax-filers a penny.
Many of us would be keen on hearing about this from the assorted state lawmakers pushing to start the casino gambling stone down the hill by legalizing sports betting as source of revenue. With the current ongoing pandemic budget woes, $100 million in new, yearly revenue seems like real money.
Well-written legislation was introduced in previous years that would mimic a working system in Oklahoma that has added to that state’s budget since 2010. The Gold Dome legislation is still readily available. This idea may require citizen pressure to receive the focus it warrants because the “business first” special interest lobby in Atlanta has worked hard to keep the proven system out of public sight or official consideration. The measure has never seen a hearing.
Oklahoma has shown us a way to tap into the enormous amount of money that is sent out of Georgia every year that now goes nowhere near the Georgia economy or state coffers – and the best news is that the majority of that money comes from drug dealers and illegal aliens!
What is it? A small, 100% refundable fee on funds wired out of Georgia that tax-filers easily recoup on their state tax returns. In simple terms, it goes like this: Let’s say you wire $1000.00 to Aunt Tilly in New York to help with her rent – or you send part of your under-the-table cash wages from your landscaping job to family in Oaxaca. When the payment is sent out, the wire service would add on a small extra fee (around 2%) – which you would get back when you file your tax return or a simple, short form explaining that you are not required to file a return.
The wire transfer agency would be compensated by the state for the collection effort.
The fee would be added to all the money the criminal black market – including illegal drug dealers and “undocumented workers” wire home literally every day.
The government of Mexico alone received about $25 billion American dollars in 2019, mostly from its citizens living here in the good old USA. That is more money than Mexico made on oil revenues. “Against initial estimates and despite the COVID-19 crisis, we estimate that remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean will reach US$ 70.4 billion (+6.0%) and in Mexico to US$ 39.5 billion (+8.4%) in 2020” according to economists who study the topic.
According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission for the year 2019, Oklahoma realized more than $19 million from the refundable wire transfer fee system, largely provided by black market labor. According to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Georgia has more illegal aliens than Arizona – and many more than Oklahoma. We don’t have figures on how many American dollars are sent out of Georgia by drug dealers, but Atlanta is a known terminus for that insidious organized crime.
The income for the state in this genius plan comes from the fact that the huge majority of criminals in the underground economy do not file a tax return.
Everyone who files a state tax return or special short form can get the fee back. Fake news from the Atlanta Journal Constitution on a previous attempt to see passage of this available revenue stream bill requires me to repeat: The fully refundable wire transfer withholding would apply to everyone who wires money out of Georgia, regardless of its final destination.
The AJC falsely reported that the fully refundable wire transfer fee concept is a “tax” and apply only to foreigners sending money to their home countries. And they didn’t seem to like the idea that it would affect illegal aliens.
We hope the Governor Kemp and concerned, responsible legislators will take a hard look at the proven $100 million a year revenue program for themselves – maybe even give it a hearing.
Georgia voters should do more than merely hope. Governor Kemp’s office is 404-656-1776.
‘Rebuilding That Trust We Have Lost’: New Cobb Sheriff Axes Immigration, Law Enforcement Program
WABE host Jim Burress:
You’re listening to All Things Considered on 90.1 WABE. I’m Jim Burress.
Another Atlanta area Sheriff new to the position is ending a partnership with federal immigration officials. Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens sent a memo to US Immigration And Customs Enforcement, or ICE, yesterday, saying his office would no longer participate in 287G. That provision deputizes local law enforcement to check the immigration status of those they detain, but has faced growing opposition. Immigration advocates say 287G encourages racial profiling and creates an unnecessary fear of law enforcement. Owens says there’s a lot of work to do to overcome those fears and rebuild community trust. Earlier, I talked to the Sheriff about his decision.
Sheriff Owens, was there a particular moment that you can remember when you decided, I’m going to end 287G?
Sheriff Craig Owens:
Not so much a particular moment, but maybe a particular incident, uh, that really got me very concerned about the program. And that relates back to when I was with the police department, uh, being a commander down in Precinct Two at Cobb County Police Department. It was the facts of us looking, trying to help our community with crimes they were having, but not reporting. So, uh, and we kinda got to the bottom of why this particular community’s not reporting crimes. Uh, I discovered that it’s because of the 287G and their fear of being deported. And it really hindered them to be in a safe community, and it hindered us from providing them with the safety they deserve and need.
So at that moment, you know, I, I started looking into it more and as a [inaudible 00:01:42] American Sheriff, I knew it something in my heart and also in my mind, as being a good steward of the citizens of Cobb County, something we did not wanna proceed with.
WABE host Jim Burress:
Uh, the program deputized local law enforcement with limited federal powers. So it’s, it’s kind of clear what federal immigration got in the deal. Was there every anything in it for Cobb County?
Sheriff Craig Owens:
Uh, from my perspective, no. Um, we were basically just providing them with free manpower to do a lot of the functions of the ICE agency.
WABE host Jim Burress:
What will it take to rebuild the support of the community that you say has been lost?
Sheriff Craig Owens:
That’s a great question. I think for us, in my perspective, it’s about us getting out and working in the community, not just talking, but actually getting out and being involved, um, and work in the community, rebuilding that trust that we have lost. You know, I stated during my press conference, you know, when I was the police department’s side, uh, the Hispanic communities always stated, “If you see blue …” And that’s officers in blue uniforms, “You can talk to them. But if you see deputies in brown, you need to run.” Because they was, you know, equating us to be ICE officials, so they wouldn’t talk.
So now, we gotta go back and rebuild that trust in our communities. And, uh, knock on doors, get them to talk to us, engage and us letting them know that hey, we’re here to help. If things are going wrong in the community, we need to know so we can provide you the assistance you need. That’s what I wanna do, rebuild that trust. That’s gonna be, uh, it’s gonna happen actually, hopefully by us having open dialogue. And it’s gonna be moved faster, faster, I think, in my mind, because I just hired a community liaison, Mr. Carlos Garcia, who will help us bridge that gap between law enforcement, community.
WABE host Jim Burress:
287G ends kind of a formal process, but it doesn’t necessarily end whatever preconceived notions or stereotypes, or even law enforcement’s learned behaviors behind 287G. How do you get that gone, so to speak?
Sheriff Craig Owens:
Well, I think how we start on that is beginning, by building trust and making sure that we are also educating our community as well as our officers about what we should be doing, how should, how we should be, um, dealing with different individuals, and making sure we doing that with dignity and respect all the time. And I think that education’s always important.
WABE host Jim Burress:
Describe for me what that education process looks like in your department.
Sheriff Craig Owens:
Yes. So, we wanna instill this, uh, culture diversity training. Because like it’s very important that all our officers understand how different cultures act during certain times. And so, I think it’s extremely important that we instill that into our training curriculum. But I wanna have a diverse workforce, of course. I wanna make sure we understand the diversity of the, of the citizens which we serve in Cobb County.
WABE host Jim Burress:
My last question, if there was another department out there considering dropping 287G, or even adopting it for that matter, um, making a change one way or the other, what would you say to the people making that decision?
Sheriff Craig Owens:
I would say look at your community. Listen to the needs of your community. You know, in Cobb, you know, there have been, they have been crying for help for years, um, from their local politicians and their elected leaders as well. You know, we’re here to protect and serve them, and again, to treat everyone with dignity and respect.
WABE host Jim Burress:
Craig Owens is the Sheriff of Cobb County. Sheriff Owens, thank you for talking to me today. I appreciate it.
Sheriff Craig Owens:
Oh, thank you so very much, and thank you for having me on.
Rayam:
Good morning, the time is 7:34. Just as soon as he took office, Gwinnett County’s new sheriff delivered on a promise to get rid of the controversial 287(g) program. That’s the initiative that allows entities like the Sheriff’s Office to enforce federal immigration laws.
Rayam:
Good morning, Sheriff Taylor. How are you?
Sheriff Taylor:
Good morning, Lisa. How are you doing?
Rayam:
Wonderful. Thank you so much for joining us today. Uh-
Sheriff Taylor:
[crosstalk 00:00:34]-
Lisa:
You said getting rid of the 287(g) program was necessary. Why is that?
Sheriff Taylor:
Well, when you look at, you know, the program, um, like I’ve said before, that program, the intentions when they first put it in place, it had good intentions, but like any tools, a lot of tools that are used in law enforcement, people start to take advantage of it, and, uh, that’s what you have with this. So basically, what that program started to do was target, uh, you know, people of color that were in this country that’s undocumented, so, you know, it became, you know, a racist issue for me, it became a prejudice issue for me, and it reminded me of how, um, you know, Black America was back in the 90s and the 80s when we were profiled just based upon our race, so I felt it was necessary from day one to go ahead and end that program. So-:
Rayam:
Yeah. You mentioned, uh, profiling, and the term racial profiling is often used and, and equated with 287(g), so you clearly agree with that sentiment then?
Sheriff Taylor:
Yes, I do. Um, it’s obvious when you go back in and you look at the numbers, the numbers are so off balance, you know, of the people that are coming in, especially, uh, jaded towards Hispanics. So, you know, the numbers are undeniable, um, and the increase in the numbers under the Trump administration versus the Obama administration, I mean, it’s just unin- undeniable and unexplainable.
Rayam:
There was the myth that immigrants, illegal or not, fostered more crime in the country, and you didn’t quite buy that. Why?
Sheriff Taylor:
Because there is no statistical data that, that proves that, okay? Um, when you look at crime trends, you know, especially here in Gwinnett County, um, there’s been a downward crime trend here with exception of, uh, there’s been a little bit of an uptick in violent crimes, so when you go back in, an- and especially in the area of gang violence. So, you know, we had at one point 55 homicides here in Gwinnett County. Out of those 55, excuse me, over half of them was attributed to gangs or gang type violence. So again, you know, when we’re looking at what is the number one, you know, major issue here, you know, and those are homicide type cases, you’re not seeing where they’re, these people are here in this country that’s undocumented, so the, the thought process that 287(g) keeps us safer, uh, is, is just, it’s not clear.
Rayam:
So instead, you want to support programs aimed at tackling gang violence and human trafficking issues. Is, is that, uh, the major concern of Gwinnett County in 2021?
Sheriff Taylor:
Well, going back, looking at, you know, the fact that over half of the homicides that we had here in Gwinnett County, uh, was attributed to either gangs or gang violence, you know, I think that that was a necessary first step for me, is to come in and address that issue. Um, you know, if we’re talking about, you know, what, what are we going to do to keep the citizens of Gwinnett County safe, to me that’s a logical first step right there. 287(g) doesn’t show me, it doesn’t prove to me that it’s working to keep the citizens of Gwinnett County safe. It’s just, you know, a thought process of people who do not want people in this country, and especially people in this country that’s undocumented, so I felt like that was a better step.
Sheriff Taylor:
Um, we’re not putting, you know, enough emphasis in the law enforcement community on human trafficking, so that is another issue that I want to make sure that we, you know, put more focus toward and put more resources toward, so those were, uh, two of my first initiatives, uh, after I took office here.
Rayam:
And human trafficking, how does that play a role in Gwinnett County? We, you know, we hear about Atlanta being a hub for human trafficking, but, uh, how does that, uh, fact- how does Gwinnett County factor into that particular issue?
Sheriff Taylor:
Well, a lot of times when you, Atlanta will get the publicity of what is going on, okay? So, you know, we hear about, you know, the large number of people, ma’am, that have fallen victim to human trafficking in the city, but as always, those [inaudible 00:05:21] always move out to the suburbs. So, you know, even if our numbers are not as high as maybe say the ci- you know, what we’re looking at in the city of Atlanta, it doesn’t mean that it’s not happening [inaudible 00:05:34]. And point number two is, is that we always have to understand that, you know, crime and criminals, ma’am, they don’t, they do not respect borders, so, you know, it’s nothing to come from Atlanta to Gwinnett County, and, um, you know, so we, this is just one of the things that we have to get a jump on. We’ve got to get [inaudible 00:05:55] trying to be a little bit more proactive than reactive on, uh, on a problem that’s just going to get worse if we don’t.
Rayam:
Changing topics a bit, um, before you were sworn into office you weren’t to sheriff school, and you were one of those who was exposed to COVID-19, and you contracted the virus, correct?
Sheriff Taylor:
That is correct.
Rayam:
How did you fare through, through that? Tell us what it was like for you.
Sheriff Taylor:
Um, I can tell …
End of discussion on 287(g). Not end of interview. dak
(If you) just joined us, I’m joined by Craig Owens Senior. He is the newly elected sheriff of Cobb County.
You stated earlier on, as a candidate, that you wanted to get rid of the 287(g) Program. ‘Course, that’s a… partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, that allows deputies to detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. Um, you want this partnership to end… You all have a contract, though. Can you… legally end it? Is there a simple out clause for you all?
Cobb Sheriff Craig Owens Sr. :
That, that’s a good question. So, uh, I was able to have a meeting, ‘course with our… [inaudible 00:00:36], then I had a meeting with our ICE, uh… officials, in fact, yesterday. The meeting went very well. And, um… As we finish this process, our legal team will make sure that everything’s great. And, I will be releasing the statement on that later. The latter part of this week once I receive… my, um, uh, legal opinion, and… how we’re gonna go forth with the program.
Owens:
But, yes, I think it’s gonna be a good statement. I [inaudible 00:01:03] the release at the end of the week, but I wanna make sure I don’t say anything premature, ’til I get my legal opinion back, but… I met with them, uh, yesterday. The meeting went very well, and I met without legal, um, team from the county. And I think, um, everything’s going well, and I have a statement probably, hopefully by the end of the week, once I get my legal opinion back from them.
Scott:
Can I a- Well, I do wanna ask if… the representatives from ICE, were they understanding? Do they wanna know more why you wanted to end the program?
Owens:
Absolutely, I think we had, we had a great conversation, um… with the, um, [inaudible 00:01:35] here, in Atlanta area. Uh, and his, uh, the personnel assistant [inaudible 00:01:40]. Very good conversation, they understood, um, my reason for, um… wanting to depart from the program. And, and it was not a, a out of taste type meeting, it was a great meeting. I, I was surprised. It was a very great meeting, um… They were very professional gentlemen, and, um…and it went well! So, they understand, understand my philosophy, how I wanna take this year’s office going forward, and they are… They understand that.
Scott:
So why did you… So, what did you tell the men as to why you wanted to end the program?
Owens:
I just didn’t think it was the right thing for [Cobb 00:02:11] County. I think [Cobb 00:02:11] County is better than that, and I think we can… uh, use those resources that we’re sending to them, and, and, um. Other [inaudible 00:02:19] of the headline community, um. It makes no sense for me supplying resources… to the federal government to supplement their manpower, when I’m sh- short of manpower myself.
Scott:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Owens:
I’m bringing those resources back to help supplement my own shortages. So I can give that service back ,and it stays in the [Cobb 00:02:41] County. And they understood that. Without any issue.
Scott:
Do you feel like ICE is using local law enforcement with this program… as, almost their… e-extended immigration authority body?
Owens:
Well, I, I’m not sure on that aspect, but I know they… were basically using it as an… additional resource. What they, what they didn’t have in resource, they felt they could use both of… you know, the sheriff’s office’s resources to fill their vacancies. So there are shortcomings.
Scott:
You have a… strategic plan for the first 100 days… What do you hope to accomplish, I guess, what are those top priorities, Sheriff?
Owens:
Oh, that’s a great question, why you got some good questions today. Um…
Scott:
(laughs)
Owens:
Y’know, my four top areas… uh, y’know, I wanna mention, focus on Covid-19, and bringing in the Covid-19 [inaudible 00:03:27], I think is very important. That we focus on, not only on our community, but on the… in our detention centers as well. Making sure we’re providing the most safe… environment we possibly can for anyone that’s coming into the s-…
Note: This is not the end of the interview and I am reasonably certain this is the end of the discussion on 287(g). I could not listen to Rose Scott another second.
–>Sheriff Owens was surprisingly brief on his answers to the WABE questions. We think it is because he has finally learned state law requires him to check immigration status of prisoners and report illegal aliens to ICE. To get a better idea of his ideas on 287(g) we recommend reading this interview/report written by somebody named Arielle Robinson who is the president of the Kennesaw State University Society of Professional Journalists and an editor at the KSU Sentinel (!).
Georgia sheriffs say “no” to compliance with state law and Gov. Kemp still silent on illegal immigration. We support and encourage a primary challenge
News: Governor Brian Kemp still silent on Georgia’s illegal immigration crisis. Primary opponent needed.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp presented his State of the State address yesterday – we didn’t watch it but the liberal AJC reports that he didn’t mention illegal immigration. Again.
“This year, there was no talk of gun rights expansions, new crackdowns on illegal immigration or other base-pleasing initiatives” says the liberal AJC.
Reminder: According to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Georgia is home to more illegal aliens than is Arizona. According to the anti-enforcement Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, Georgia is home to more illegal aliens than green card holders.Georgians are being hurt, drugged, robbed, kidnapped, raped and killed by illegal aliens while Kemp is defiantly silent on all of this but boasts of being “number one for business…” .
Although he stayed far away from any talk of actual enforcement of the state’s E-Verify laws or laws intended to prevent illegal aliens from accessing public benefits, in 2018 Kemp campaigned on detailed promises of legislation and action to address ‘sanctuary cities’ and criminal alien crime. We call it the “#BigTruckTrick.”
At least two Georgia sheriffs (Cobb and Gwinnett) have promised to end the life-saving 287(g) program and also to not report illegal aliens who make it into the sheriff’s jails to ICE. The latter is a direct violation of longstanding state law.
“What we will not be doing is notifying ICE of anybody’s immigration status in the jail or any of our facilities…” Newly sworn Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor, January 1, 2021 as reported by the Associated Press.
Gov. Kemp is defiantly silent, as is the state Attorney General.
In the interest of the rule of law, jobs for legal workers, public safety and commonsense, the Dustin Inman Society encourages and supports the idea of a viable, pro-enforcement primary opponent for Governor Brian Kemp in 2022.
You must be logged in to post a comment.