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Loganville Today
By the People, for the People
Local Officials Raise Concerns Over Planned ICE Detention Center in Social Circle
Worries over staffing shortages and infrastructure strain as facility could triple town's population
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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Local law enforcement officials in Walton County, Georgia have expressed concerns about the planned opening of an ICE detention center in the town of Social Circle. The facility, which could house 5,000-10,000 detainees, is expected to open by April and is raising worries about potential staffing shortages for local police departments as well as strains on the town's infrastructure. Loganville Police Chief Dick Lowry and Walton County Sheriff's Office Division Commander Maj. Darren Vinson both voiced concerns that ICE's aggressive recruitment efforts offering high signing bonuses could lure away local officers, hampering their departments. There are also concerns that the influx of detainees could require increased involvement from local law enforcement to maintain public order.
Why it matters
The planned ICE detention center in Social Circle has generated significant concerns among local officials and residents about the potential impact on their community. With the facility potentially tripling the town's population, there are worries about the strain it could place on infrastructure like roads, utilities, and public services. The recruitment efforts by ICE to hire local law enforcement also raises the prospect of staffing shortages for already strained police departments in the area.
The details
According to Social Circle officials, the sale of the initially proposed data center building to the federal government for the ICE detention center is now complete. The U.S. government paid $128,555,500 to purchase a 235-acre lot at 1365 East Hightower Trail, which contains a warehouse that will be converted into the detention facility. ICE is offering signing bonuses of up to $50,000 as part of a major recruitment push aimed at adding 10,000 new officers over four years, which has local law enforcement worried about losing staff to the higher-paying federal agency. There are also concerns that the influx of detainees could lead to protests that would require involvement from local police to maintain order.
- The ICE detention center is expected to open by April 2026.
- The Walton County Sheriff's Office's new jail became fully operational in 2025.
The players
Walton County Sheriff's Office Division Commander Maj. Darren Vinson
Spoke on behalf of Sheriff Keith Brooks at a recent TRIAD meeting, expressing concerns about the potential for staffing shortages at the sheriff's office due to ICE's aggressive recruitment efforts.
Loganville Police Chief Dick Lowry
Shared Vinson's concerns about local police departments potentially losing staff to the higher-paying ICE jobs, and clarified that Georgia law requires all law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The federal agency that is planning to open a detention center in Social Circle, Georgia, which could house 5,000-10,000 detainees and effectively triple the town's population.
What they’re saying
“From 2020 to 2024 we hired 262 and lost 189 but there is a concern they will go for the money.”
— Maj. Darren Vinson, Walton County Sheriff's Office Division Commander
“If we stop someone for speeding and they can't produce a license or whatever other information is present that will lead that officer to believe that person is in the country illegally, the officer is required to bring the person to the police department and contact ICE.”
— Dick Lowry, Loganville Police Chief
“Legal protests only. If anybody tries to protest illegally, they will be arrested and taken to Walton County Jail. We don't play that Minnesota game here.”
— Dick Lowry, Loganville Police Chief
What’s next
The judge overseeing the sale of the property to ICE will make a final decision on the facility's opening in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
The planned ICE detention center in Social Circle has raised significant concerns among local officials about the potential strain on the town's infrastructure and resources, as well as the risk of losing valuable law enforcement personnel to the higher-paying federal agency. These issues will need to be carefully addressed as the facility moves forward with its opening.
