Homeland Security Pauses Plans for New Georgia ICE Detention Sites

Move could affect proposed facilities in Oakwood and Social Circle that faced community opposition

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Department of Homeland Security has paused plans to purchase new warehouses intended to house immigrant detainees, including two proposed locations in Georgia - one in Oakwood and the other in Social Circle. The pause comes as the department scrutinizes all contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to a senior Homeland Security official. New Secretary Markwayne Mullin has said he wants to "work with community leaders" and "be good partners" as the agency reviews its policies and proposals.

Why it matters

The proposed ICE detention facilities in Georgia faced intense opposition from local residents and communities who objected on moral grounds and questioned the impact on local resources. The pause in plans provides an opportunity for the new Homeland Security leadership to reconsider the approach and work more collaboratively with affected communities.

The details

The $38.3 billion plan hatched under former Secretary Noem aimed to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds by acquiring eight large-scale detention centers and 16 smaller regional processing centers. The proposed Social Circle facility would have housed 10,000 detainees - twice the population of the town itself. Local officials like Oakwood City Manager B.R. White criticized the rushed approach, saying the department "jumped the gun" without considering the full impact on communities.

  • The Department of Homeland Security pause was announced in early April 2026.
  • New Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was sworn in last week.

The players

Kristi Noem

Former Homeland Security Secretary under whose tenure the detention center expansion plans were developed.

Markwayne Mullin

New Homeland Security Secretary who has said he wants to work more collaboratively with community leaders.

B.R. White

Oakwood City Manager who criticized the rushed approach to the detention center plans.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It gives us a little bit of hope at least in the manner that they'll be willing to sit down and discuss with us. So far they haven't responded to any of our requests.”

— B.R. White, Oakwood City Manager

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing all contracts signed under former Secretary Noem and plans to work more closely with community leaders like those in Oakwood and Social Circle as it reconsiders the detention center expansion proposals.

The takeaway

This pause in Homeland Security's detention center expansion plans provides an opportunity for the new leadership to take a more collaborative approach with affected communities and reconsider the moral and practical implications of such large-scale ICE facilities in local neighborhoods.