Immigrant rights advocates speak out against expanding ICE center

Advocates speak out against expanding ICE center

Critics highlight abuse and neglect in detention centers, while supporters claim the expansion would create jobs and economic benefits for Charlton County.

ATLANTA - Immigrant rights activists rallied outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in downtown Atlanta on Thursday to protest a proposed expansion of a detention center in South Georgia that, if approved, would become the largest ICE facility in the country.

What they're saying:

Dozens of demonstrators gathered on Ted Turner Drive, chanting, "The immigrants united will never be defeated," as they voiced opposition to the expansion of the Folkston ICE Processing Center in Charlton County, roughly five hours south of Atlanta.

Opponents argue that expanding the facility would not improve safety or financial conditions and are calling for its complete closure.

IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE

FULL: Immigrant rights advocates speak out against expanding ICE center

Immigrant rights advocates are raising concerns over plans to expand the Folkston ICE Processing Center (FIPC) in South Georgia and are calling for the facility’s complete shutdown.

What they're saying:

Critics argue that detention centers are rife with abuse and neglect, with one man at the protest stating, "These centers are plagued with abuse, neglect."

Supporters of the expansion contend it would bring hundreds of jobs to Charlton County, but opponents are calling for the facility to be shut down entirely.

"This doesn’t make anybody safer. It doesn’t make anybody better off financially, and it harms us, all of us," said protester Andrew Free. "So I'm here to oppose the expansion. I'm here to call on these people to tell the truth about what happened."

"This is not just about one individual’s life," Free added. "It’s about the safety of the community and Charlton County and the surrounding areas."

The protest comes amid a nationwide uptick in deportation efforts.

Proposed ICE detention center expansion

Immigrant rights advocates gathered in Atlanta on Thursday morning to speak out against a proposed expansion of the ICE detention center in Georgia. At this time, plans to expand Folkston ICE Processing Center are temporarily on hold.

Big picture view:

On Wednesday, federal agents arrested 12 undocumented migrants during a raid at a nail salon in Cobb County.

The backstory:

The Charlton County Board of Commissioners had been scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to approve a contract modification with ICE that would increase the facility’s bed space from around 1,100 to nearly 3,000.

Currently, the center has capacity for just over 1,100 detainees. If the proposed modification is eventually approved, it would accommodate up to 2,986 individuals.

However, the agreement has been put on temporary hold.

According to county officials, a judge informed them this week that the expansion would require additional federal funding approval. Under federal policy, the Department of Homeland Security cannot enter into contracts exceeding $20 million without additional authorization. The proposed expansion carries a price tag closer to $47 million.

The other side:

Supporters of the project, meanwhile, argue that it would bring hundreds of jobs and significant economic investment to the area if ultimately approved.

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