Georgia Today – January 20, 2026

Episode Title: ICE Arrests in Georgia; Gov. Kemp Wants SNAP Restored; Jones Headed to Cooperstown?
Host: Peter Biello, GPB News

Overview

This episode covers key events shaping Georgia's current landscape: a deep dive into the reality of ICE immigration arrests in Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp's request to restore federal SNAP funding, major student protests against ICE, weather updates, legislative developments, and a look at Atlanta Braves legend Andruw Jones's potential Baseball Hall of Fame election.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Arrests in Georgia: Out of the Headlines, But Ongoing

(00:30–04:18)

• Contrasting National and Local Visibility:
  While dramatic images of ICE enforcement make news in some US cities, Georgia sees frequent ICE arrests with little visibility. According to ICE data and the Deportation Data Project, Georgia ranks just outside the top 10 in the US for arrests per capita.

• Historical Context:
  Charles Cook (immigration attorney):

  "Normal operations, normal detentions, occasional larger group pickups at a job site. None of that is unusual dating back to the Clinton administration." (01:48)

• Legislative Changes Intensifying Cooperation:
  Samantha Hamilton (immigration attorney) explains:

  "In 2024, the Georgia General assembly passed a law called the Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report act, also known as HB 1105." (02:11)

  • Effect of HB 1105: Mandates some level of cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE, making about 1/3 of Georgia ICE arrests originate from local agencies turning people over.

• Why Georgia Avoids High-Profile Raids:

  "HB 1105 is also maybe the main reason why Georgia has not looked necessarily quite like Minneapolis or Chicago or LA, where these like massive performative raids are happening."
  — Samantha Hamilton (02:36)

  • Low-Profile Arrests Dominate: Only 10% of arrests in Georgia are “custodial” (ICE in the street); the majority are “non-detained docket” — people already known to the immigration system, often arrested during check-ins or court appearances.

• Emotional Impact on Families:

  "The act of, you know, someone being snatched from their family like, you know, disappeared for hours... that is also like an act of violence."
  — Samantha Hamilton (03:50)

  "[A man] was picked up with his wife who's just becoming a resident, his kids who are citizens, his grandkids are citizens, who has committed no crime other than working. That's life destroying, that's family destroying."
  — Charles Cook (04:00)

2. Student Protests Against ICE Operations

(04:23–05:15)

• Event: A 100-student walkout at Georgia State University protesting recent federal immigration raids and the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Goode in Minnesota.

• Student Perspective:
  Logan Castillo (GSU freshman):

  “With social media nowadays, it feels like no one cares and it feels like extremism is simply so rampant and it feels like common sense is just lost. I believe that…getting together with all these people shows that there is still decency.” (05:10)

• Scope: Additional protests at other Atlanta-area universities and high schools.

3. Death in ICE Custody at Georgia Detention Center

(05:23–05:44)

• Details: Mexican national Heber Sanchez Dominguez died at the Robert A. Dayton detention facility in Lovejoy, Georgia (Clayton County, operated by GEO Group).
• Significance: First ICE custody death in Georgia this year, fifth nationwide in 2026. Cause of death is under investigation.

4. Gov. Kemp Seeks Restoration of Federal SNAP Funding

(05:44–06:16)

• Kemp’s Request: $46 million to offset SNAP admin staff funding cuts (federal contribution was reduced from 50% to 25%).
• Importance: SNAP serves more than 1 in 10 Georgians; funds primarily pay salaries for ~3,000 state caseworkers.

5. Georgia Participates in Federal School Vouchers Program

(06:16–06:57)

• Announcement:
  Governor Kemp introduces program giving taxpayers a $1,700 tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations, separate from the state's own $6,500 Promise Scholarship for private school students.

• Legislative Support:
  Speaker John Burns:

  “This means more resources will flow directly to students who need them the most, creating more opportunities and empowering more families in our state.” (06:44)

6. Weather Updates: La Niña Ends and Cold Front Approaches

(06:57–08:04)

• Shift in Weather Patterns:
  The La Niña weather system is ending; Dr. Pam Knox (UGA Weather Network) predicts a move toward El Niño, bringing more rain and cooler, cloudier weather.

  “We are likely to see the jet stream come and park over us, which means more rain, more clouds and cooler temperatures just because we're not getting as much sunshine.” (07:34)

• Potential for Relief: This might help Georgia’s drought-stricken agriculture—pending rainfall through April.

• Immediate Warning: Major cold front could bring snow and ice to north/central Georgia over the upcoming weekend.
  Governor Kemp urges early storm preparedness.

7. Other Noteworthy State News

(08:04–12:03)

• Supreme Court & Fed Chair: Jerome Powell to attend court arguments regarding the White House's attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook, who has Georgia ties.
• Property Tax Reform: Senate Republicans push bill to cap property tax hikes at inflation rate; school board concerns over education funding remain.
• Support for Timber Industry: Lawmakers seek to end sales tax on timber, potentially costing the state $18M/year, to aid an industry battered by hurricanes and mill closures.
• Trade Mission to Belgium: Governor Kemp, First Lady, and officials to meet with Belgian companies (e.g., JCB) with significant operations in Georgia; trade totaled nearly $5B in 2024.
• Lucas Theater Closed for Bat Removal: Savannah cultural landmark to temporarily move performances after discovery of bats during scheduled renovations.

8. Sports Highlight: Andruw Jones on Verge of Hall of Fame

(12:03–12:52)

• Braves Great Near Induction:
  As of Monday night, Andruw Jones is on 83% of public HOF ballots—above the 75% threshold. His accolades: 5-time All Star, 10 Gold Gloves, youngest player to homer in a World Series—twice in his debut (1996 Game 1).

  “Another home run for Andruw Jones.” (12:03)

• Announcement: Inductees to be revealed at 6:00 PM on MLB Network.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charles Cook (on family impact of ICE arrests):

  "That's life destroying, that's family destroying." (04:00)

• Samantha Hamilton (on low-profile ICE operations):

  "...that is also like an act of violence." (03:50)

• Logan Castillo (GSU student, on the value of protest):

  "It feels like extremism is simply so rampant and it feels like common sense is just lost. … there is still decency." (05:10)

• Speaker John Burns (on school voucher program):

  "More resources will flow directly to students who need them the most..." (06:44)

• Pam Knox (on end of La Niña):

  "...more rain, more clouds and cooler temperatures..." (07:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Topic | |----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | ICE arrests in Georgia: background and current stats | | 01:40 | Charles Cook contextualizes Georgia's enforcement approach | | 02:11 | Explanation and impact of HB 1105 (Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act)| | 03:27 | Discussion of custodial vs. non-detained ICE arrests | | 03:50 | Family and community impact of low-profile ICE arrests | | 04:23 | Student walkouts in response to ICE shooting/reports | | 05:23 | Death in ICE custody at Georgia facility | | 05:44 | Governor Kemp’s request to restore SNAP funds | | 06:16 | Georgia joins federal K-12 scholarship tax credit program | | 06:57 | Weather forecast and impact of La Niña’s end | | 08:04 | Cold front and winter storm preparedness message | | 10:16 | Business/trade news, Lucas Theater bats | | 12:03 | Andruw Jones and Baseball Hall of Fame watch |

Conclusion

This Georgia Today episode provides an in-depth snapshot of the intersection of immigration enforcement, state-level policy reactions, student activism, evolving state and federal funding issues, legislative priorities, key weather changes, and a cultural moment for Atlanta sports fans. Topical, nuanced, and grounded in the voices of both officials and everyday Georgians, it captures a moment of real change—and challenge—for the state.