Atlanta Police Accused of Aiding ICE Through License Plate Readers

Records show Atlanta PD searched license plate data to assist federal immigration enforcement, despite denying cooperation

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An investigation has found that the Atlanta Police Department conducted at least 15 searches of automated license plate reader data on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last year, despite the department's public denials of cooperating with the federal agency. The revelations highlight the subtle ways local law enforcement can assist federal immigration enforcement efforts, even in cities that have enacted policies restricting such collaboration.

Why it matters

The use of license plate reader data by local police to aid ICE raises concerns about privacy and the erosion of trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, especially in cities that have sought to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It also demonstrates the challenges in fully restricting information-sharing between local and federal agencies, even when formal policies are in place.

The details

The Atlanta Police Department's searches of license plate data for ICE were documented in the department's 'Flock audit,' which was obtained by the Atlanta Press Collective through a public records request. The searches allowed ICE to potentially identify and locate undocumented immigrants, even though the Atlanta City Jail had previously refused to honor ICE detainer requests until a new state law required compliance in 2024.

  • The Atlanta Police Department conducted at least 15 searches of license plate data for ICE in 2025.
  • In 2024, Georgia legislators passed HB 1105, which required the Atlanta City Jail to honor ICE detainer requests.

The players

Atlanta Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Atlanta, Georgia that has been accused of assisting ICE through the use of license plate reader data, despite the department's public denials of cooperation.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration enforcement agency that has sought to collaborate with local police departments, including the Atlanta Police Department, to identify and locate undocumented immigrants.

Georgia Legislature

The state government body that passed HB 1105 in 2024, requiring local jails in Georgia to honor ICE detainer requests, overriding previous policies in cities like Atlanta that had refused to comply.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The revelations about the Atlanta Police Department's use of license plate reader data to assist ICE are likely to increase scrutiny of the department's practices and fuel calls for stronger restrictions on local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, even in cities that have enacted sanctuary policies.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges cities face in fully insulating their immigrant communities from federal immigration enforcement, as local police departments can find subtle ways to assist ICE's efforts, undermining the intent of sanctuary policies. It underscores the need for robust oversight and transparency measures to ensure local law enforcement is not circumventing restrictions on cooperation with ICE.