Warnock Celebrates DHS Cancelling Plans for Social Circle Detention Center

For months, Senator Reverend Warnock elevated Social Circle’s efforts to block the construction of a massive 10,000-person ICE facility, including touring the small town with the Mayor and City Manager in March The New York Times reports DHS will also sell or give away a warehouse in Oakwood, GA Today’s reporting follows his efforts to block the retrofitting of warehouses that would have served as detention centers in Social Circle and Oakwood Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) celebrated new reporting that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to sell or give away warehouses in Social Circle and Oakwood, Georgia. In March, the Senator joined Social Circle local leaders in voicing opposition to the Trump Administration’s efforts to open an ICE detention facility that would have severely strained local resources with no plan for federal support to alleviate the anticipated harms. The Senator’s visit came after local leaders were blindsided by the Trump Administration’s decision to bring a new ICE detention facility to the community and follows his efforts to block the retrofit of warehouses that will serve as detention centers. “Today is a victory for the people of Georgia,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “When we stand up and speak out, the power of the people is more powerful than the people in power. I was proud to elevate the concerns of the people of Social Circle and Oakwood over the past four months to pressure the administration to backtrack on their dangerous plans. The people of Social Circle and Oakwood didn’t vote for me, but I still fought for them because I was elected to serve all Georgians.” Earlier this spring, Senator Warnock joined MSNOW’s Morning Joe to underscore his commitment to stopping the development of this facility. Senator Warnock has led several efforts to support the city’s campaign against the proposed ICE facility, including sending letters to DHS and making a direct appeal to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Senator Warnock also filed an amendment that would have blocked the retrofit of the Georgia warehouses. In March, Senator Warnock met with local leaders on the ground who told the Senator they do not have the infrastructure to support the facility, including Social Circle Mayor David Keener and City Manager Eric Taylor. During his visit, Senator Warnock surveyed Social Circle’s drinking water treatment site and wastewater treatment site. The Senator also visited Social Circle Elementary School, where he met with concerned parents and the superintendent. He concluded his tour of the city at the site of a one-million-square-foot warehouse on East Hightower Trail where Homeland Security planned to house as many as 10,000 detainees. ICE purchased the warehouse and surrounding 235 acres in February for $128 million. ###