05/12/2026
This makes me sad. For the last few years, Buenos Dias Coffee has been a literal bright spot here in Rossville. It’s provided both social and economic benefits to our community from a location that previously sat empty and idle… and probably will again.
Now, before everyone hammers me with the “Illegal is illegal” argument, let’s talk a little about WHY this has happened.
I don’t know the circumstances of the arrest that led to all of this, but basically, once someone is arrested and booked into jail here in Georgia, local authorities are required by state law to cooperate with ICE and determine their immigration status.
That law is HB 1105, also known as “287(g)” or the “Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024”, and it requires local jails and sheriffs to cooperate with ICE and to determine the immigration status of certain people booked into custody. If they don’t, Georgia law imposes penalties on any local agencies or officials that fail to comply with these requirements.
Once the person has been reported to the federal government, the ‘Laken Riley Act’ expands the situations in which ICE is required to detain someone during immigration proceedings. For many people, that detention process can ultimately lead to deportation proceedings.
OK. So, with that all laid out, what can we do?
Unfortunately as a simple candidate, there’s not much that I can personally do, other than raise awareness.
There’s also limited ability for even currently elected State officials to intervene once someone has already been reported to ICE and placed into federal immigration proceedings. At that point, it largely becomes a Federal issue rather than a State one.
And, frankly, it would appear that there’s not much that any of them WANT to do. After all, the current leadership in Georgia strongly supported these policies and continues to defend them even as deportations escalate.
So, what CAN we do? Well, in the short term we can:
Contact our elected officials to ask for change. Here in District 1, where this happened, that’s:
Mike Cameron - He’s the current State Representative for District 1 that I’m probably going to be running against. (Won’t know for sure until the Primary is over.)
Lanny Thomas - He’s our State Senator here in District 53, which encompasses House District 1.
Clay Fuller - He is our newly elected Congressman here in Congressional District 14, which includes State House District 1 and State Senate District 53 (among others).
Governor Brian Kemp - Who signed HB 1105 into law.
In the long term, HB 1105 either needs to be repealed or, more likely, replaced with something that gives local jurisdictions more discretion regarding which cases are referred to ICE.
President Trump promised that he’d be arresting and deporting the “bad guys.” This woman was adding real value to our community both socially and economically. She was by NO stretch of the imagination a “bad guy.” A local business owner built something of real value here, but now she and her kids are all leaving, taking their hard work and, dare I say, American Entrepreneurial Spirit with them.
I’ve tried VERY hard not to turn this into a “Vote for Me!” screed. But in the end, the only way we change these outcomes is by electing people willing to change these laws. So, yeah, if you would please consider voting for me, I promise I’ll do everything in my power to repeal these horrible laws and enact some sensible immigration reform here in Georgia.
Diz
Hey guys, I wanted to let you all know that we are permanently closing our doors. We are selling the business and moving to Mexico as a family. It’s been 3 amazing years. We’ve made some amazing friends and have felt the love and support from this amazing community. We wanted to start this coffee shop to share our love for great coffee, latin culture and be a place where you can hangout with friends and family. We accomplished that at Buenos Dias Coffee.
We also wanted to share the reason why we are moving to Mexico. Our mom Laura, as many of you know and have seen at the shop. Was detained by ICE and is facing deportation. She is currently still in custody as I write this. Because family is our highest priority, my siblings and I have decided to close the shop and relocate to Mexico so that we can remain together and support her as she starts over.
She was robbed of saying goodbye to all of you and for that I am truly sorry. But my siblings and I want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all the support you all have shown us over the years. But especially to my mom. Who has worked so hard to bring the Rossville area an amazing Latin experience through her cooking and hospitality.
Don’t be sad that we are closing and leaving. Be happy you were part of this amazing community that supported a Latin owned coffee shop. We are excited to see what life holds for us in Mexico. Who knows? We might start Buenos Dias Coffee 2.0. So please stop by and grab your favorite coffee, crepe, torta, and pastries. We’ll update you all as to when our last open day will be.
With love and gratitude, Lety, Cecy and Henry.
