Immigrants in Athens Hesitant to Report Crimes

Victims of break-ins and armed robbery did not call police due to fear of immigration enforcement

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Immigrants living in a predominantly Hispanic apartment complex in Athens, Georgia have been reluctant to report crimes to the police, including car break-ins and an armed robbery, due to fear of potential immigration consequences. The apartment complex manager reported the incidents to the police, but the actual victims did not come forward themselves.

Why it matters

This issue of immigrants being afraid to engage with law enforcement is a nationwide problem, as aggressive federal immigration enforcement operations have created a climate of fear. However, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department has stated that simply calling 911 to report a crime will not lead to immigration status checks.

The details

When police responded to a report of car break-ins at the Kathwood Townhouse Apartments, they learned that the same suspects had also committed an armed robbery in the complex. The apartment manager, not the victims, reported these incidents to the police. According to the police report, the manager 'explained that the victims did not report anything themselves to authorities due to fear of police checking immigration documents'.

  • On a recent occasion, police responded to a report of car break-ins at the Kathwood Townhouse Apartments.

The players

Kathwood Townhouse Apartments

A predominantly Hispanic apartment complex in Athens, Georgia.

Athens-Clarke County Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the reported crimes at the Kathwood Townhouse Apartments.

Lt. Katie Jenkins

The spokesperson for the Athens-Clarke County Police Department who explained the department's policy on not verifying immigration status during routine contacts.

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What they’re saying

“The victims did not report anything themselves to authorities due to fear of police checking immigration documents.”

— Apartment Manager (Police Report)

“The Athens-Clarke County Police Department does not verify the legal status of individuals in our county. If someone is arrested, they will be transported to the Clarke County Sheriff's Office, where their immigration status will be determined. Simply calling into 911 to speak with an officer or file a report is not grounds for our agency to determine legal status.”

— Lt. Katie Jenkins, Police Department Spokesperson (Classic City News)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of building trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, as aggressive federal immigration policies have created a climate of fear that discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, even when local police departments have policies not to inquire about immigration status during routine interactions.