Concerns Raised Over ICE's 'Worst of Worst' List in Atlanta

Analysis shows many on the list have minor offenses, not serious crimes

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:05am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a large, nondescript detention center building in warm, golden sunlight, with deep shadows cast across the facade, evoking a sense of isolation and the complex human stories behind the facility's walls.The Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, where detainees outnumber the town's residents, is the focus of concerns over ICE's 'Worst of the Worst' list.Atlanta Today

A recent AJC analysis found issues with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 'Worst of the Worst' list, which is meant to detail hard criminals apprehended by ICE since President Trump took office. The analysis revealed that many of the immigrants on the list in Atlanta were charged with misdemeanors like marijuana possession, missed court dates, forgery and trespassing - not the 'worst' offenders as the list claims.

Why it matters

Experts say the inaccurate and politicized list could inject unnecessary fear into communities by painting an outsized portrait of immigrant crime, even though many on the list have minor offenses. The analysis raises questions about how ICE compiles and presents data on its enforcement actions.

The details

The AJC's analysis found that of the 193 people on the 'Worst of the Worst' list for the Atlanta area, 56 were already in federal custody when President Trump was inaugurated in 2025. Their main connection to Atlanta was likely that they were held in a federal penitentiary there, not that they were apprehended by ICE in Georgia. The analysis also revealed that many of the immigrants on the list were charged with low-level misdemeanors, not the serious crimes the list implies.

  • The 'Worst of the Worst' list was compiled by ICE since President Trump took office for his second term in January 2025.
  • The AJC's analysis of the list was conducted in February 2026.

The players

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that maintains the 'Worst of the Worst' list, which is meant to detail hard criminals apprehended by ICE.

President Donald Trump

The U.S. president who took office for a second term in January 2025.

AJC

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the news organization that conducted the analysis of ICE's 'Worst of the Worst' list for the Atlanta area.

Experts

Authorities who told the AJC that the 'Worst of the Worst' list is inaccurate and politicized, and could inject unnecessary fear into communities.

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The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about how ICE compiles and presents data on its enforcement actions, and the potential for such lists to misrepresent the nature of immigrant crime in local communities. It raises questions about the accuracy and transparency of ICE's reporting, and the need for greater oversight and accountability in the agency's operations.