Oakwood Residents Divided Over Planned ICE Detention Center

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The city of Oakwood, Georgia, with a population of around 7,000, was recently notified that a 600,000-square-foot immigration detention center is set to open in their community, catching local officials by surprise. While some residents support the facility, others are concerned about the impact it could have on the town's infrastructure and public safety.

Why it matters

The plan to open a large ICE detention center in a small town like Oakwood highlights the ongoing debate around immigration enforcement and the placement of such facilities. It raises questions about transparency, community input, and the ability of local governments to handle the potential influx of detainees and associated challenges.

The details

According to Oakwood's city manager, B.R. White, the city was given just three days' notice that the 600,000-square-foot detention center, which is expected to hold around 1,500 detainees, would be opening. White says the city was never formally notified by federal officials about the plan. The first notice came from the local congressional representative's office. City leaders are now preparing for potential issues like increased traffic, public safety concerns, and the possibility of protests, as well as the significant strain the facility's sewage output could have on Oakwood's infrastructure.

• The city of Oakwood, Georgia, was notified about the planned ICE detention center just 3 days before the announcement.
• The detention center is expected to open in the near future and hold around 1,500 detainees.

What they’re saying

What’s next

City officials in Oakwood are preparing to address the potential challenges that could arise from the opening of the large ICE detention center, including increased traffic, public safety concerns, and the strain on the town's infrastructure, particularly the sewage system.