Michael Gargiulo

Coming soon.

On May 1st, 2024, the governor signed HB1105, a law restoring ICE’s 287(g) Program statewide. This ensures that those in custody are properly checked against the citizenship database.

According to a 2020 AJC article, the Gwinnett jail had the highest number of contacts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through 287(g) in the nation. I look forward to working with our Sheriff to reinstate this program. This will allow our county jail to return to compliance, helping enforce federal immigration law and enhance community safety.

The problem is complex and a failure at multiple levels. With this first critical step of 287(g) restored in Gwinnett, it becomes more straightforward to detain and deport repeat criminal offenders who are in Gwinnett illegally. Having served as Chief of Staff to State Senator Colton Moore, the worst calls from Citizens were when folks would say, “Our family has been waiting eight years to come to America legally, and yet there are over 1 million people who illegally cut the line in Georgia.”

I love people who come to America and live an honest, fair life. God tells us to love our neighbors, even criminals. While we pray for anyone seeking a better life, when you cut the line without going into the United States Military, the respect for legal immigration and our laws are lost. This causes sorrow, pain, stress, and even death for so many families in Georgia and across our country.

We need to reduce the arrests, stabbings, shootings, overdoses, suspensions, crime, and poor parenting in our schools.

I will work together with GCPS, School Administrators, Parent Teacher Student Organizations, and School Resource Officers to conduct a review of our parenting and security resources to combat this growing issue as efficiently as possible from the state level.

The Jail Dogs Program addresses two critical issues: rescuing animals and providing inmates with a constructive means of self-worth and responsibility. Gwinnett, with one of the largest jail and animal services facilities in North Georgia, needs this program back to benefit both the inmates and the community.

According to an FBI report, there has been a 25-60% decrease in law enforcement recruits, depending on the area. Poor leadership, lack of competitive benefits, and the risks involved are significant deterrents. Gwinnett County and its cities are struggling with recruitment.

We need to increase pay and enhance recruitment efforts to ensure we have the best officers serving our community.

Ministries across Georgia are stepping up and supporting inmates, helping them on their path to release while decreasing the likelihood of re-incarceration, especially in our youth. We aim to expand these ministries in Gwinnett and Georgia facilities to help inmates succeed after release as they return to their families. Georgia has an estimated 40-50% recidivism rate, and the United States is among the highest in the world in terms of repeat offenders. We must turn to God and strong prayer, especially in our state and local correctional facilities.

Unfortunately, several of these programs were eliminated by current Sheriff Keybo Taylor and various law enforcement agencies, some possibly for COVID reasons.

Time is passing for us to restore them, and COVID is over. If you can vote in Gwinnett County, please also consider Sheriff Candidate Mike Baker, Chairman Candidate John Sabic, and Commissioner Candidate Tim Le. We will work together to increase the security of our community and state.