AGP Executive Report

Immigration Crackdown: Under Trump enforcement, immigration judges issued a surge of voluntary departure orders—over 80,000 from Jan 2025 to Mar 2026, up sevenfold from the prior Biden period—while critics say many departures are effectively coerced by long detention. Georgia Politics: An ethics oversight body flagged two attorneys running to unseat Republican-appointed Georgia Supreme Court justices, raising fresh questions about campaign conduct. Georgia-Ukraine Warming: Georgian and Ukrainian foreign ministers met again in Moldova, pointing to continued dialogue and humanitarian support even as normalization remains complicated. Public Safety & Speech: Georgia’s Interior Ministry is set to create a proactive unit to monitor hate speech and aggressive online/offline campaigns and refer cases to court. Culture & Faith: New Georgian Patriarch Shio III condemned abortion and “gender ideology,” while Salome Zurabishvili pushed back, calling the remarks merciless. Food & Tourism: Atlanta’s former CNN Center reopens as The CTR food hall with 11 concepts, including Michelin-led spots.

Public Communication Overhaul: Georgia’s MIA is set to create a “systematic monitoring” department to track hate speech and aggressive campaigns across public space and social media, with officials saying it will act proactively and refer cases to court—while critics warn police structures shouldn’t be the ones policing speech. Courtroom Clash: Aleko Elisashvili pushed back hard on accusations tied to a terrorist-act case, arguing the “dog” claim is meaningless and that the video footage can’t identify him, turning the dispute into a fight over what counts as real proof. Culture & Access: Salome Zurabishvili questioned whether Rustaveli Theatre is “for sale” after a Russian institute performance, saying Georgian actors no longer have a stage or the chance to rent it. Diplomacy Watch: Maka Botchorishvili met Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha in Chisinau, signaling continued dialogue as Georgia and Ukraine try to reset relations. Sports/Tech Buzz: Ucom backed Armenia’s first Western Asia FPV drone race, while Eurovision chatter continues to ripple across the region.

Immigration Crackdown: Under Trump’s enforcement push, immigration judges issued a surge of voluntary departure orders—over 80,000 from Jan 2025 to Mar 2026, with the monthly rate jumping from about 750 under Biden to more than 9,000 in March 2026, and over 70% of those leaving were in detention when they asked to go. Georgia-Ukraine Diplomacy: Maka Botchorishvili met Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha in Chisinau, signaling a fresh push to restore ties after years of strain, while both sides kept dialogue open despite ongoing obstacles. Regional Power Shifts: Russia is realigning priorities toward Asia-Pacific and former Soviet states, using May 9 meetings to deepen trade and investment ties. Eurovision Fallout: Ukraine’s top points included Georgia among major contributors, as the contest continues to be shaped by politics and boycotts. Local Culture Calendar: East Central Georgia’s May 17–23 lineup highlights “Brews & Board Games” in Augusta on Monday, May 18 (5–8 pm).

Immigration Crackdown: Under Trump’s enforcement push, voluntary departures have exploded—orders jumped from about 750 a month under Biden to over 9,000 in March 2026, with most people leaving while already in detention, raising fresh accusations of coercion. Eurovision Fallout: Eurovision 2026’s Grand Final in Vienna ended with Finland/Australia taking top honors, but the UK’s entry Look Mum No Computer landed just 1 jury point and no public points—while the whole contest stays politically charged amid a major Israel-related boycott. Georgia in the Spotlight: Shio III is set for his first festive liturgy at Sameba Cathedral today, as Orthodox delegations arrive for Georgia’s new Catholicos-Patriarch. Regional Tech Push: The ADB-backed CORRIDOR project aims to build cross-border digital corridors across Asia-Pacific, listing Georgia among participating countries. Energy & Business: SOCAR has appointed Levan Davitashvili as CEO of its Italiana Petroli unit, signaling continued reshuffling at the top.

Immigration Crackdown: Under Trump’s enforcement push, immigration judges issued a record surge of voluntary departure orders—jumping from about 750 a month under Biden to over 9,000 in March 2026—raising fresh accusations that people are being pressured to leave asylum claims behind. Armenia After Nagorno-Karabakh: In Yerevan’s Yerablur cemetery, families mark the war’s toll after Azerbaijan’s 2020 and 2023 offensives, with grief still shaping daily life. Ukraine Frontline Claims: A new assessment flags repeated, highly inaccurate Russian battlefield claims around Kupyansk and Lyman. Eurovision 2026 Fallout: The Vienna finale capped a contest turned geopolitical flashpoint, with multiple countries boycotting over Israel’s participation and the UK again struggling on the scoreboard. Georgia Culture & Spotlight: Georgian Days in Washington, DC runs May 17–26, while Kanye West’s Tbilisi show—linked to Live Nation Israel—keeps Georgia’s entertainment scene in the global spotlight.

Immigration Crackdown: Under Trump’s enforcement push, voluntary departures are exploding—immigration judges issued 80,000+ orders from Jan 2025 to Mar 2026, up sevenfold from the late Biden era, with the monthly rate jumping from about 750 to over 9,000 in March; critics say detention conditions are coercing people to abandon asylum claims. Ukraine Corruption Case: Prosecutors in Ukraine have brought charges tied to the “Dynasty” luxury housing co-op, alleging laundering through four mansion properties linked to Zelenskiy-era insiders. Eurovision Fallout: The 70th Eurovision final in Vienna is set amid a major boycott over Israel’s participation, with the contest’s long history of geopolitics now colliding with today’s Gaza-era tensions. Turkic World Push: Turkic States leaders are signaling a shift from culture to hard integration—transport, energy, digitalization, and security cooperation—highlighted by Erdoğan’s call for Middle East stability. Georgia in the Spotlight: Kanye West’s Tbilisi show is reportedly tied to Live Nation Israel, with tickets reportedly selling out fast.

Kratom Court Win: A Georgia appellate panel backed an early win for a kratom seller in a wrongful-death suit, ruling the company’s repackaging didn’t make it a manufacturer. Eurovision in Vienna: The 70th Eurovision final is tonight, with the contest still tangled in geopolitics and boycotts over Israel’s participation—plus fans are watching closely after two dramatic semis. Kanye in Georgia: Ye is set to perform at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi on June 12, with reports linking the booking to Live Nation Israel executives and Georgia’s “Starring Georgia” push for big-name acts. EU-Georgia Tensions: Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili hit back at “double standards” at the Council of Europe, accusing critics of distancing from Georgia’s elected government while claiming to defend democracy. Food Agency Crackdown: Georgia’s National Food Agency fined “Libre” after an unplanned inspection found expired products and a cat in the shop area.

Immigration Crackdown: The U.S. is seeing a sharp surge in “voluntary departures” as immigration judges issued 80,000+ orders from Jan 2025–Mar 2026—up sevenfold from the prior Biden period—while critics say detention pressure is pushing people to abandon asylum claims. Ukraine–Georgia Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met Georgian counterpart Maka Bochorishvili at the Council of Europe, calling the talks “transparent, pragmatic, and constructive” and linking them to recent Ukraine–Georgia dialogue. Wildlife at Risk: Persian leopards remain critically endangered across borders, with retaliatory killings and habitat fragmentation still driving declines. Eurovision Buzz: Bulgaria’s DARA qualifies for the final and will perform entry #12; the contest also stays tangled in Israel-related controversy and security tensions. Energy Business Move: SOCAR appoints Levan Davitashvili CEO of Italiana Petroli after acquiring a near-total stake. Food Safety: Georgia’s National Food Agency fined “Libre” after an inspection found a cat in a food retail area and expired products. Entertainment: Kanye West (Ye) is set for a Tbilisi concert on June 12, with ticket sales reported as sold out fast.

Immigration Crackdown: A sharp rise in “voluntary departures” is reshaping the U.S. asylum landscape, with judges issuing more than 80,000 orders from Jan 2025 to Mar 2026—up sevenfold from the prior period—while critics say many departures are effectively forced after long detention. Georgia Church & Unity: Georgia’s newly enthroned Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III urged the Orthodox Church to open its doors for “unity and peace” amid national tensions. Eurovision Buzz: Australia’s Delta Goodrem qualified for the Eurovision final after a high-energy semi-final run, while Georgia’s own Eurovision run ended in the first semi-final. Culture & Tickets: Kanye West’s Tbilisi concert deal is drawing global attention as 70,000 tickets reportedly sold out fast. Local Life: A deadly crash in Gardabani killed five of six people in a BMW wreck, and Georgia’s education scene keeps moving with new college-to-university transfer pathways.

Immigration Crackdown: Voluntary departures from the U.S. have surged under Trump enforcement—orders jumped from about 750 a month under Biden to over 9,000 in March 2026, with most people leaving while already in detention, raising fresh questions about whether “choice” is being pressured. Gas Tax Politics: Trump is pushing to suspend the federal gasoline tax to blunt high pump prices, but the move would need Congress and could drain Highway Trust Fund money. Georgia in the Spotlight: Pro-government TV Imedi says it’s been banned from the European Parliament for a year after a filming incident, while Abkhazia residents in Sokhumi protest new electricity meters over higher bills. Eurovision Tension: Semi-final 2 is underway in Vienna amid boycotts over Israel’s Gaza war, plus crowd noise and security friction. Culture & Industry: Sundance named 2026 Episodic Lab fellows in Georgia, and SOCAR appointed Levan Davitashvili as CEO of Italiana Petroli.

Eurovision Fallout: In Vienna, Israel’s Noam Bettan qualified after boos and “stop the genocide” chants, while security dragged a protester away mid-performance—showing how fast the contest is turning political. Eurovision Night Two: The second semi-final is underway with Look Mum No Computer set to perform, as multiple countries boycott over Israel’s Gaza war. Georgia Legal Watch: A Georgia-based IHOP franchise operator faces a suit alleging a training head was fired after missing work for an alcohol treatment program. Workplace Rights: A proposed class action claims Roblox exploited kids’ labor to build games, funneling them into a virtual currency system. Local Politics: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law pushing nonpartisan elections for many local posts in metro Atlanta counties, with prosecutors threatening a lawsuit. Sports & Culture: PSG clinched the Ligue 1 title with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s strike over Lens, while Tbilisi’s Whisky Festival 2026 is pitching itself as a premium culture-and-business platform.

Georgia Politics: Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law making most local elections in the Atlanta-area counties nonpartisan, but Fulton DA Fani Willis and DeKalb DA Sherry Boston say they’ll sue, arguing it’s a GOP move to hide party labels in Democratic strongholds. Eurovision Fallout: Vienna’s Eurovision week stayed tense: Israel advanced to the final amid boos and “stop the genocide” chants, and security dragged a protester away in handcuffs during the performance. French Pressure on Georgia: France’s National Assembly backed a resolution calling for targeted sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream, with far-right and far-left lawmakers voting against. Religion in Georgia: Icons were removed from an Armenian Apostolic Church in Akhaltsikhe and later returned; the Interior Ministry opened an investigation. Tech & AI: A Microsoft report says Central Asia lags in everyday AI use, while Georgia ranks relatively higher. World: Lavrov accused Washington of keeping Biden-era anti-Russia policy; a Palestinian man was shot while trying to climb the West Bank barrier into Israel.

French Pressure on Georgian Dream: The French National Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Georgia’s “illiberal and authoritarian drift,” urging targeted sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, and calling for the release of political prisoners while keeping EU accession “de facto” paused until political conditions are met. Church Power Shift: Georgia’s Orthodox Church elected Metropolitan Shio III (Shio Mujiri) as Catholicos-Patriarch, a move analysts say could keep the Church’s heavy political influence steady. Eurovision in the Spotlight: Eurovision’s first semi-final in Vienna sent Israel and Finland through, but fans are furious over BBC graphics changes and broader boycott anger still hangs over the contest. Sports—Doping Fallout: Former Georgia rugby captain Merab Sharikadze received an 11-year ban in a urine-swap anti-doping scheme. Business & Culture: Trump Tower Tbilisi was unveiled as Georgia’s planned tallest building, while Kanye West’s Dinamo Arena show sold out fast.

Eurovision Under Pressure: Eurovision 2026 kicks off in Vienna tonight with tight security and a boycott fallout over Israel’s participation, as five countries stay away and pro-Palestinian protests are planned. Church Power Shift: Georgia’s Orthodox Church has elected Shio III (Shio Mujiri) as Patriarch Shio III, winning 22 votes in the Holy Synod and inheriting major political influence after Ilia II’s death. Georgia-France Pressure: Nika Gvaramia says it’s time to appeal to the French prosecutor over Bidzina Ivanishvili, after a French National Assembly resolution condemning Georgia’s “authoritarian regression.” Health Watch: U.S. states are monitoring people exposed to hantavirus after the MV Hondius outbreak, with some passengers quarantining in Nebraska and two sent to Atlanta. Global Security Angle: Spiegel reports Russia is using mafia-style networks for sabotage and violence across Europe. Business Update: Multi-Color Corporation completes a major financial restructuring and emerges from prepackaged Chapter 11.

Gas Prices Relief Push: Trump says he’ll move to suspend the federal gasoline tax to blunt surging prices tied to the Iran war, but Congress must approve—meanwhile the national average sits around $4.52 a gallon. Eurovision 2026 Watch: The 70th Eurovision heads to Vienna this week, with U.S. fans able to stream on Peacock and YouTube (semis May 12 & 14, final May 16). Georgia-EU Tension: EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski marked Europe Day in Tbilisi by warning Georgia has slowed EU progress amid anti-European rhetoric, while Georgian leaders hit back over “interference.” Local Courts & Rights: An 11th Circuit ruling says Georgia voters can’t sue over “shaken confidence” in voter-roll maintenance. Tech & Telecom: T-Mobile is taking a Georgia county to court over a cell tower permit fight. Public Safety: Severe storms return to the drought-stricken Southeast, with flash-flood risk flagged. Health Watch: Hantavirus monitoring continues after cruise passengers were sent to U.S. medical facilities, including Georgia.

Georgia’s EU tug-of-war: EU Ambassador Pawel Herczyński used Europe Day in Tbilisi to warn Georgia has “stopped moving” toward EU membership, while Georgian Dream officials skipped the event and hit back. Courtroom pressure on dissent: London’s Royal Opera House urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intervene for jailed Georgian bass singer Paata Burchuladze, sentenced to seven years after democracy protests. Ukraine–Georgia diplomacy: Ukraine’s FM Andrii Sybiha says Kyiv wants a “new page” with Georgia and plans talks in Moldova next week. Middle East ripple effects: US gas prices fell nearly 3 cents over the weekend, even as US-Iran ceasefire talks stall and Trump rejects Iran’s latest response. Culture & film: Lab 7:10 launched a July storytelling residency in Georgia for early feature projects. Sports spotlight: Eurovision 2026 kicks off with Semi-final 1 tonight, with Georgia among the acts.