Student still in ICE custody after charges dropped; Voter challenge ruling appealed

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Episode: Student Still in ICE Custody After Charges Dropped; Voter Challenge Ruling Appealed
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. College Student Remains in ICE Custody Despite Dropped Charges

In a troubling case from Dalton, northwest Georgia, a 19-year-old Mexican-born student, Ximena Arias Cristobal, continues to be held in an ICE detention center despite the dismissal of her initial traffic charges. Authorities clarified that a Dalton Police Department officer mistakenly pulled over the wrong vehicle, leading to Arias Cristobal's arrest for making an improper turn and driving without a license. Her father was also detained for similar traffic violations.

Supporters of Arias Cristobal highlight her long-term residency in the U.S., stating she has lived in the country since the age of four. However, she did not qualify for DACA protections due to her arrival falling after the program's cutoff date. The Department of Homeland Security announced on social media that the family is slated to return to Mexico together, as per a post from last Thursday.

Key Quote:
"Arias Cristobal has been in the US since age 4 but did not qualify for DACA protections because the arrival came after a cutoff date to qualify for the program."
— Peter Biello [00:47]

2. Appeal of Voter Challenge Ruling Sparks Debate

A federal appeals court in Atlanta is currently reviewing a significant case involving a mass voter registration challenge initiated by the conservative group True the Vote. In 2021, a lower court had ruled that these voter challenges did not violate the Voting Rights Act, despite similar cases where plaintiffs, including Stacey Abrams' Fair Fight organization, argued that such challenges were designed to intimidate and disproportionately impact voters of color.

Sara Kalis of GPB News emphasized the detrimental effects of these voter challenges:
"Even when those individuals were qualified, those challenges had devastating effect."
— Sara Kalis [02:05]

On the opposing side, Jake Evans, representing True the Vote, defended the group's actions, stating there was no intent to intimidate voters and argued for the lower court's ruling to be upheld.

Key Quotes:
"Even when those individuals were qualified, those challenges had devastating effect."
— Sara Kalis [02:05]

"There was an intent to ensure election integrity was maintained and that's what the intent was."
— Sara Kalis [02:36]

3. Governor Kemp Signs Workforce Development Bills

As the deadline looms for Governor Brian Kemp to either sign or veto new legislation from this year's General Assembly, he proceeded to sign several workforce development bills. These laws reinforce Georgia's position as a leading state for business and aim to create real job opportunities for Georgians through historic investments across the state.

One significant bill includes the codification of the Georgia Match college admission program, the extension of the sunset date on the college completion grant, and the establishment of a scholarship fund for former foster children.

Key Quote:
"To us, that is not just a title. It represents real jobs for hard working Georgians and historic investments coming to literally every part of our state."
— Sara Kalis [03:05]

4. Supreme Court Hearings on Public Housing Liability

In Augusta, Christina Guy filed a lawsuit against the city housing authority after being injured during a robbery at her apartment complex three years ago. She alleged that the housing authority failed to implement adequate safety measures. The case raises pivotal questions about whether public housing landlords are subject to sovereign immunity—a legal doctrine protecting state and city agencies from lawsuits.

During the Supreme Court arguments, Attorney Christopher Kosper for the Augusta Housing Authority asserted,
"He's a sovereign, as are agents that do the king's or state's work."
— Christopher Kosper [04:05]

Chief Justice Nels Peterson indicated the case could influence numerous similar lawsuits, putting a pause on related housing disputes until a decision is reached, which may take several months.

Key Quote:
"You can't sue the king."
— Justice Britton [04:09]

5. Morehouse College Appoints New President

Morehouse College has appointed Du Bois Bowman, a public health leader and 1992 Morehouse alumnus, as its next president. Bowman, who currently serves as the dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, will take over the leadership of the historically black college starting in July, succeeding David Thomas, who announced his retirement last year. This transition occurs during a challenging period for historically black colleges, amidst national debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

6. UGA Ethnobotanical Garden Introduces the Three Sisters Planting

At the University of Georgia, Justice Britton, a PhD candidate in anthropology, is spearheading the planting of the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—in the Ethnobotanical Garden of the Americas. This traditional agricultural method, rooted in Native American cultures, exemplifies sustainable farming practices where each plant supports the others: corn provides a structure for beans to climb, beans replenish the soil with nitrogen, and squash leaves trap moisture, fostering a microenvironment conducive to growth.

Dr. James Owen, Assistant Director of the Institute for Native American Studies, highlighted the historical significance:
"It's been something that's been happening here for over 800 years. So there's a lot of evidence to suggest that the Southeast was really one of the most densely populated parts of the world in 1492."
— Dr. James Owen [07:45]

The initiative, supported by the Institute for Native American Studies, aims to honor and preserve the agricultural heritage of indigenous communities, providing a learning space for both scholars and indigenous students.

Key Quote:
"The idea that Native students are finally kind of getting a place to nurture and to create spaces to provide that knowledge and to work together and to experience the culture is just a special opportunity."
— Justice Britton [08:45]

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Additional News Briefs

• Historic Places Added: Georgia is expanding its Register of Historic Places with six new locations, including the Downtown Albany Commercial Historic District and the Banning Mills Industrial Archaeological District, aiming to enhance historic preservation and public awareness.

• Sports Update: The Atlanta Braves secured a victory against the Washington Nationals with a final score of 4-3, improving their season record. Notably, Matt Olson continued his impressive streak by playing his 661st consecutive game, the longest active streak in the majors. Additionally, the Braves introduced a limited-edition Usher-themed bobblehead as a tribute, available to the first 15,000 fans at Truist Park.

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Conclusion

Today's episode of Georgia Today covered a spectrum of pressing issues, from immigration and voting rights to education and sustainable agriculture, reflecting the diverse challenges and developments within the state. Host Peter Biello, alongside contributors like Sara Kalis and Sophie Gradus, provided in-depth reporting and insightful commentary, ensuring listeners are well-informed on matters that significantly impact Georgia residents.

For more updates and detailed reports, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast and visit GPB News.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

DBHDD is reminding Georgians that the 988 lifeline can help those worried about opioid and stimulant misuse. The three digit number is free and confidential. Help is available 24. 7 More [e-mail] welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, a Georgia college student remains in ICE custody even though the charges against her were dismissed. Morehouse College announces its next president and a judge hears arguments over whether a conservative led mass voter challenge intimidated voters of color.

[Sara Kalis]

Even when those individuals were qualified, those challenges had devastating effect.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, May 13th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Authorities in northwest Georgia's Dalton have dismissed the traffic charges that led to a 19 year old Mexican born college student being arrested and placed in a federal immigration detention facility. The Dalton Police Department said yesterday that one of its officers pulled over the wrong vehicle by mistake. Ximena Arias Cristobal has been charged with making an improper turn and driving without a license. She remains in custody at an ICE detention center in southwest Georgia along with her father, who also was arrested for traffic violations. Her supporters say Arias Cristobal has been in the US since age 4 but did not qualify for DACA protections because the arrival came after a cutoff date to qualify for the program. A social media post by the Department of Homeland Security last Thursday said the family will be able to return to Mexico together. A federal appeals court in Atlanta is deciding a case involving a mass challenge of Georgia voters. In 2021, a lower court had found a conservative group did not violate the Voting Rights act when it challenged hundreds of thousands of voter registrations. GPB's Sara Kalis reports the case involved.

[Sophie Gradus]

A mass voter challenge by the right leaning group True the Vote. Plaintiffs including Fair Fight, founded by Stacey Abrams, argued the voter challenges were intended to intimidate voters and disproportionately impacted voters of color. Fair Fight attorney Uzominquanta says the lower court ruled erroneously.

[Sara Kalis]

Even when those individuals were qualified, those challenges had devastating effect.

[Sophie Gradus]

Jake Evans, the lawyer for True the Vote, says there is no evidence they intended to intimidate voters and the ruling should be upheld.

[Sara Kalis]

There was an intent to ensure election integrity was maintained and that's what the intent was.

[Sophie Gradus]

The court did not rule in the case. For GPV News, I'm Sarah Kalis in Atlanta.

[Peter Biello]

Governor Brian Kemp continues signing bills into law as a deadline tomorrow approaches for him to sign or veto legislation passed in this year's General Assembly. At the State Capitol yesterday, he signed a series of workforce development bills referencing Georgia's designation as the number one state for business.

[Sara Kalis]

To us, that is not just a title. It represents real jobs for hard working Georgians and historic investments coming to literally every part of our state.

[Peter Biello]

The bill signed yesterday codify into law the college admission program known as Georgia Match, extend the sunset date on the college completion grant and create a scholarship for former foster children, among others. Three years ago, Augusta resident Christina Guy sued the city housing Authority after she was injured during a robbery. She claimed they hadn't taken measures to keep the apartment complex safe. The state Supreme Court heard arguments today in a case that could change the way public housing landlords are held accountable. GPB Sophie Gradus has more.

[Christopher Kosper]

The arguments centered around the question of whether housing authorities do or do not fall under the protections of a statute called sovereign immunity, which prevents most state and city agencies from getting sued. Attorney for the Augusta Housing Authority, Christopher.

[Sara Kalis]

Kosper this comes from the common law, the king.

[Justice Britton]

You can't sue the king.

[Christopher Kosper]

He's a sovereign, as are agents that do the king's or state's work, he said. While a lower court ruled in favor of that protection, Chief Justice Nels Peterson on Tuesday called the case, quote, challenging several other lawsuits where tenants allege harm from conditions in public housing, including some out of the same complex where Christina Guy was injured, are on pause until until the higher court reaches a decision, which could take months. For GEPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas.

[Peter Biello]

Atlanta's Morehouse College has named a public health leader as its next president. The historically black college says Du Bois Bowman will lead the college and its more than 2,000 students beginning in July. Bowman is a 1992 Morehouse graduate. Bowman currently serves as the dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He'll succeed David Thomas, who became president in 2018 and announced his retirement plans last year. His tenure comes at a fraught time for historically black colleges. As president, Trump challenges diversity, equity and inclusion policies in higher education. In a shortcut between parking lots and classrooms at the University of Georgia, a transformation is taking place. A garden for medicinal plants from Caribbean, the Mexico and south and Central America is now home to the Three Sisters. This symbiotic planting of squash, beans and corn fed people in the Southeast US for centuries before European contact. WUGA's Emma Auer has more on what adding the Three Sisters to the garden means for UGA scholars and indigenous students.

[Dr. James Owen]

Campus buses roar past as Justice Britton stops to admire over half a dozen mounds of earth, each one about 6 inches tall, in a stone bed with pink flowers climbing its sides in the center of UGA's Ethnobotanical Garden of the Americas. Back in mid April, Britten, working on a PhD in anthropology, led students in planting these mounds.

[Justice Britton]

I tried to instruct the students to look at it like a caldera, like a volcano. You're going to plant the corn on the peak, and then the beans get planted on the slope, so halfway between where the squash is planted on the outside of the mound and where the corn is planted on top.

[Dr. James Owen]

Together, those three plants, corn, beans and squash, are what's known among many Native American cultures as the Three Sisters. Britton learned the Three Sisters planting method from his family. He has Cherokee and Choctaw heritage, two of the Native American tribes that have long lived in the Southeast. This is the third year that Britain has planted the Three Sisters at UGA with the support of the Institute for Native American Studies, where Dr. James Owen is the assistant director working in the.

[Nunnali Bensing]

Southeast in Native American Studies. Three Sisters Agriculture is the thing. I mean, it's one of the most sustainable agricultural systems in the world.

[Dr. James Owen]

That's because of how the plants all give each other something they need but can't provide themselves.

[Nunnali Bensing]

The corn grows really sturdy, tall stalks, but it also sort of depletes the soil of nitrogen.

[Dr. James Owen]

When you fertilize your plants, you're giving them nitrogen.

[Nunnali Bensing]

Beans need a structure to grow on, like corn stalks, but they replenish the soil with nitrogen.

[Dr. James Owen]

So beans fertilize the corn. The corn gives the beans a pole to climb, and the big squash leaves do their part by sort of trapping moisture in the soil like a greenhouse. Owen says that the Three Sisters may be new to the UGA campus, but. But they're certainly not new to Georgia.

[Nunnali Bensing]

It's been something that's been happening here for over 800 years. So there's a lot of evidence to suggest that the Southeast was really one of the most densely populated parts of the world in 1492. And that's because of the three sisters and similar agricultural and ecological practices.

[Dr. James Owen]

The Ethnobotanical Garden of the Americas was built in 1998 to foster appreciation for plants from Latin America. But the focus of the garden has gradually expanded. Nunnali Bensing started as the garden's curator four years ago. @ that time, the garden was kind of in flux coming out of the pandemic, and it was struggling. Her focus has been incorporating more North American plants to support insects like bees and give indigenous students space to see their cultures represented. Justice Britton says he's excited that the garden is highlighting the agricultural heritage that continues to sustain Native communities.

[Justice Britton]

The idea that Native students are finally kind of getting a place to nurture and to create spaces to provide that knowledge and to work together and to experience the culture is just a special opportunity.

[Dr. James Owen]

Britton and Bensing aren't sure what challenges the garden will face this growing season, but they're certain they'll have something to hope harvest in a few weeks time. For WUGA News, I'm Emma Auer.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Sara Kalis]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[Planet Money Host]

We show you how money influences everything.

[Dr. James Owen]

Tell me what you like by telling me how you spend your money.

[Planet Money Host]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Nunnali Bensing]

I had a bad feeling you're going to bring that up.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money finds out. All you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from NPR.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia is adding six more locations to its Register of Historic Places. The state Department of Community affairs announced the additions today prior to their submissions to the National Park Service and its National Register of Historic Places. They include the Downtown Albany Commercial Historic District, noted for its place as the historic center for economic commerce in southwest Georgia the Banning Mills Industrial Archaeological District in West Georgia's Carroll County, a former mill site noted for innovations in the pulp and paper industry and the Railroad Street Historic District in metro Atlanta's Fayetteville, noted as one of the most intact collection of historic houses in Fayette County. The designations are aimed at fostering historic preservation through public awareness. In sports, the Braves hope to even their record to.500 with a win tonight against the Washington Nationals. Last night, Alex Verdugo single in the ninth inning, drove in the winning run as the Braves beat the Nationals 4 3. The Nationals have now lost six in a row. Marcel Ozuna drove in two runs with two hits, including a 464 foot homer off Jake Irvin in the fifth. Also worth noting, Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson played his 661st consecutive game, the major's longest active streak, which began on May 2, 2021. And the Braves have added another sweetener to their schedule to get fans to Truist Park, a bobblehead paying tribute to Atlanta musician Usher. The announcement comes a day after Usher received an honorary doctorate at Embry University's commencement. The first 15,000 fans will get their hands on the bobblehead, which features the Peace Up, a town hand gesture. The Braves have had success drawing on Atlanta's roster of musicians, having offered fans outcast and ludicrous bobbleheads in recent years. That's it for this edition of GEORGIA today, but there's more to come tomorrow, so make sure you subscribe and check out gpb.org news for updates on any of the stories you heard today. If you've got feedback, send it our way by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Sara Kalis]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[Planet Money Host]

We show you how money influences everything.

[Dr. James Owen]

Tell me what you like by telling me how you spend your money.

[Planet Money Host]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Nunnali Bensing]

I had a bad feeling you're gonna bring that up.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money finds out. All you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from NPR.