Recent reports in the Washington Post and other media outlets tell of a proposed federal detention facility associated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) possibly being located within the city limits of Social Circle.

According to reporting by The Washington Post, the plan under consideration includes renovating industrial warehouse facilities to hold between 5,000 and 10,000 people being staged for deportation.

The City of Social Circle has not been informed of any proposed detention facility. City officials learned of the media report at the same time as the public. To date, no representative of the federal government, ICE, or the property owner has contacted the City in any way, nor has the City received an application related to detention operations.

City staff and elected officials are actively seeking confirmation from state and federal partners that no such facility will be located within the City or the surrounding areas.

A key reason that such a facility is infeasible is because the City does not have the water and sewer infrastructure to support this type of facility. Current capacity limitations would not support a development of the size described in media reports. This proposal could result in an effective tripling of the City’s population that is hovering right around 5,000 citizens.

In addition to the lack of water and sewer capacity, there is not a site within the City that will provide a safe distance from homes, businesses, and schools. The City will not tolerate a failure in security.

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Social Circle unequivocally does not support an ICE detention facility in the City or the surrounding areas. City officials are evaluating what authority, if any, the City has in this matter and will continue to oppose any efforts of this kind through all appropriate channels.

As more verified information becomes available, the City is committed to keeping residents informed in a transparent and timely manner.