Georgia town pushes back against ice detention center

Residents of the small Georgia town of Social Circle are rallying against a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility that could house up to 10,000 immigrant detainees.

Residents lock horns with ice over infrastructure concerns

City leaders have taken a bold stance, locking the water meter to the site of the planned detention center on Knox Chapel Road. When an ICE representative inquired about establishing an account, the city stated the lock would remain in place until ICE provides details on how it would serve water and sewer without exceeding the community's limited capacity.

Current city permits allow for 1 million gallons of water per day, while the sewer plant, already at capacity, can process 660,000 gallons daily. ICE documents show the facility would require significantly more, sparking concerns over the town's infrastructure.

Farm owner John Miller, who lives across from the proposed site, expressed relief that the city is pushing back. 'We are supposed to be a country by the people for the people, and I don't know if that's how you could say that's where we are when you leave us out of the conversation,' he said.

Miller moved to Social Circle 20 years ago to start a farm with his family, seeking a peaceful environment. The potential for a massive influx of people and vehicles worries him, threatening the town's character.

Protesters, including Gareth Fenley, have been vocal in their opposition to the facility. 'We're saying the detention center is wrong for Social Circle, and there are people opposed for many different reasons,' Fenley said. 'It has brought a lot of unity in the town, which I really appreciate.'

According to ICE documents, detainees could start moving in between mid-May and June.