Organize the South

The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) is reporting that Cobb County law enforcement is targeting immigrant families, specifically Latin@s. There is a documentation campaign being coordinated by GALEO, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense Fund), and GLAHR (Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights).

GALEO sent out an email. Here's the text:

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Greetings,

It has come to our attention by several sources and several independent accounts that Cobb County law enforcement appears to have stepped up their efforts to target Latino and immigrant families.

Here is what we do know. Several jurisdictions have been involved in the following. There have been some cases of individuals that were victims of crime or in an auto accident. In the process of contacting police, their immigration status was questioned and they were detained.

We are urging anyone in Cobb County that has experienced any type of discriminatory practice/encounter or possibly illegal abuse should contact any organization or faith community that they trust. These cases need to be documented and relayed to MALDEF ( 678.559.1071), GLAHR or GALEO. We need your help to rein in the "wild west" mentality that appears to be occurring in Cobb County.

We are encouraging people NOT to drive if they do not have a driver's license. This minor traffic violation has lead to several detentions, deportations and separation of families. Do not drive without a license, especially in Cobb County.

If anyone experiences any discriminatory practices by any state or local agencies, or if anyone experiences discriminatory issues with any law enforcement agency, please contact MALDEF at 678.559.1071.

Please report any problems you may experience in order for these issues to be documented. Don't let it happen to more people within our communities.

Step up and help us by filling out the INTAKE forms and then faxing these over to MALDEF. We need to stop some of the alleged discriminatory and possible unconstitutional treatment that people are currently facing. Help us document these cases and we need our community to come forward.