DHS issues scathing rebuke after former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms touts cutting ties with ICE

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms highlighted her past move to cut ties with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2018 as mayor of Atlanta, prompting a strong rebuke from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday.As Bottoms gave the keynote speech at a Democratic fundraiser in Dalton, Georgia, the former Biden official, now running for governor in the Peach State, spoke about refusing to cooperate with ICE during President Donald Trump’s first term.In her speech, she recalled her musician father’s struggle with addiction, saying that her first tour around Georgia was visiting him at various prisons.She said this helped teach her the value of "seeing the humanity in people" even those who have made mistakes or "had a different pathway to this country.""When I was mayor of Atlanta, when ICE had the family separation policy in our state, in our nation, I made the decision to end our multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement with ICE because all money ain’t good money," Bottoms said.

"And when we did that, other cities followed, counties followed, other states followed and it made a difference."DEMOCRAT MAYOR BLASTED BY DHS FOR 'HUNTING DOWN' PROPERTY OWNERS LEASING TO ICE: 'UNHINGED'Georgia Democratic nominee for Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms participates in a Fireside Chat during the 2026 National Association Of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention & Career Fair at Atlanta Marriott Marquis on August 14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Nykieria Chaney/Getty Images)Fox News Digital reached out to DHS, and the department offered a scathing response to her statement."The only difference this anti-law enforcement, pro-criminal illegal alien, former mayor made was to obstruct federal immigration laws, making Atlanta-area communities a hotbed for illegal immigration on her watch," a spokesperson for DHS said."ICE does not separate families.Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children or ICE will pl...