EXCLUSIVE: GOP Governor Hopeful Tied To Syrian Refugee Resettlement Group

Republican Georgia gubernatorial hopeful Rick Jackson’s company promoted an organization tied to Syrian refugee resettlement.

Jackson, whose company reports over $3 billion in annual revenue, is pouring historic sums into Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial primary. He has also faced scrutiny over his company’s ties to foreign worker recruitment, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report.

This debate already hit the gutter.

Burt Jones asks if Rick Jackson has ever hired an undocumented immigrant. Jackson refuses to answer. #GAGov pic.twitter.com/ymBhKkXDPZ

— American Bridge 21st Century (@American_Bridge) April 27, 2026

The company owned by Jackson — Jackson Healthcare — which markets itself as “the parent company to many of the healthcare industry’s leading brands,” has previously supported Friends of Refugees, which describes itself as a “Faith-based nonprofit empowering refugees in Metro Atlanta.” (RELATED: Raid On Christian Town Sparks Violence, Protest Before Palm Sunday)

The organization has also been publicly reported for its involvement in Syrian refugee resettlement efforts in Georgia, according to a Vice report.

A 2021 archived version of the company’s website lists Friends of Refugees as one of the organizations it supported, according to Wayback Machine records.

Another archived snapshot of the nonprofit’s website shows Friends of Refugees promoting its efforts to help resettle Afghan refugees in the United States.

In contrast, one of Jackson’s ads opens with the line, “I don’t care if you’re a Muslim or a Mongolian, you don’t have the right to force your culture on our country,” according to a report by The Guardian.

The ad continues with Jackson stating that, “Too often, criminal illegals commit sick, violent crimes, victimize our children and get away with murder. So here’s my guarantee to them: do that when I’m governor, and you’ll end up deported or departed. Any questions?”

According to the outlet, the spot also invokes imagery associated with the killing of nursing student Laken Riley, drawing comparisons to past political crime advertisements, including those famously used in the 1988 presidential campaign. (RELATED: DUKE: Democrats Created A New Laken Riley — They Want You To Forget She Ever Existed)

In response, a campaign spokesman for Jackson told the Daily Caller on Thursday, writing, “Friends of Refugees supports those who enter the country legally, including Christian ones. Additionally, like Rick said in the ad, all immigrants should assimilate into American culture, and any criminal illegals should wind up deported, or departed.”

Jackson, a billionaire pouring historic sums into Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial primary, has also faced scrutiny over his company’s ties to foreign worker recruitment.

Jackson Healthcare — a company owned by Jackson that markets itself as “the parent company to many of the healthcare industry’s leading brands” — acquired Florida-based healthcare staffing firm, Avant Healthcare Professionals, in January 2018. (RELATED: Georgia GOP Governor Hopeful Owns Company Importing Foreign Nurses Over Americans)

The firm specializes in recruiting and placing international clinical professionals in the United States, including foreign nurses for American hospitals and medical facilities.

The #GAPol primary is next week!

The #GAGov primary has seen $122.3M, making it the third-most expensive gubernatorial primary on record.

Republican advertisers account for 97% of the spending.

Rick Jackson leads in total ad support. pic.twitter.com/IPTHXZHGsi

— AdImpact Politics (@AdImpact_Pol) May 12, 2026

It has also filed H-1B visa applications, a federal program that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations on a temporary basis. Avant says its business focuses on connecting overseas healthcare professionals with long-term employment opportunities across the United States.

Jackson will face off in the Republican gubernatorial primary against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and Attorney General Chris Carr on May 19th, according to the state’s Elections and Voter Registration Information website.