People charged with operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license in Whitfield County made up half of all transfers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody from the county’s jail last year, data shows.
An additional 15 individuals, 4%, were picked up by law enforcement for allegedly driving on a suspended or revoked license, a more serious offense.
Of the 349 people transferred to ICE custody in 2025, 12 were arrested for alleged violent crimes — 3% — including battery-family violence, child molestation and aggravated assault.
“Driving with an invalid, suspended, or revoked license is a traffic offense, not a criminal offense, and it should never be used as a pathway into ICE detention,” said Armida Vicente, a Dalton resident who has organized several protests since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. “I believe that number is motivated by how easily traffic violations are enforced and how disproportionately they impact Hispanic and Latino communities.”
An additional 15% of those transferred to ICE were charged with driving under the influence, while 4% were arrested for charges related to drug possession. One person was arrested on drug distribution charges.