Oakwood Residents Encouraged by Pause in Planned ICE Detention Center

City manager says the facility would strain local infrastructure and deter businesses.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cinematic painting depicting a solitary warehouse building in warm, diagonal sunlight, with a small Italian restaurant in the foreground, conveying a sense of quiet unease about the planned detention center's effect on the community.A community's concerns over a planned immigrant detention center's impact on local businesses and infrastructure are reflected in the quiet, nostalgic scene.Oakwood Today

The city manager of Oakwood, Georgia, says he is somewhat encouraged that the Department of Homeland Security is pausing the purchase of warehouses to be converted into an immigrant detention center in his community. Earlier this year, DHS bought two large warehouses in Oakwood to temporarily house 1,500 detainees, more than the population of the Hall County Detention Center. The city manager says Oakwood doesn't have the infrastructure to support a large detention facility, especially when it comes to sewage capacity, and many residents and business owners oppose the construction of the center.

Why it matters

The planned detention center has faced significant opposition from the Oakwood community, with concerns about the strain it would place on local infrastructure and the potential impact on nearby businesses. The pause in acquisition of the warehouses is seen as a positive step, though the city manager believes the detention facility will ultimately be built.

The details

Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) purchased two large warehouses in Oakwood, Georgia, with the intention of converting them into a temporary immigrant detention center capable of housing 1,500 detainees. This would be more than the population of the entire Hall County Detention Center. Oakwood City Manager B.R. White says the city does not have the infrastructure, particularly in terms of sewage capacity, to support such a large detention facility. Many residents and business owners in the community have voiced their opposition to the construction of the center, including the manager of an Italian restaurant located directly across the street from the warehouse facility.

  • Earlier this year, DHS bought two large warehouses in Oakwood to temporarily house 1,500 detainees.

The players

B.R. White

The city manager of Oakwood, Georgia, who has expressed concerns about the planned detention center's impact on the city's infrastructure and local businesses.

Markwayne Mullin

The newly confirmed Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who stated in his confirmation hearing that he wanted to 'work with community leaders' and be 'good partners.'

Clancy Alpern

The manager of an Italian restaurant located directly across the street from the warehouse facility that DHS plans to convert into a detention center.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'It's surrounded on three sides by residential development. And these facilities were designed to be warehouses; they're not designed for habitation, whether it be a detention facility or something else.'”

— B.R. White, Oakwood City Manager

“'I think it's a terrible place. There's too many small businesses locally that are within walking distance to it. It will deter customers.'”

— Clancy Alpern, Restaurant Manager

“'I'm kind of for it and against it. It's a small town. It probably should be somewhere further out.'”

— Unnamed Resident

What’s next

The city manager says that despite the pause, he believes the detention facility will ultimately be built. He hopes to meet with the newly confirmed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to discuss the community's concerns.

The takeaway

The pause in the acquisition of warehouses for the planned detention center in Oakwood is seen as a positive step, but the city manager believes the facility will still be built. The community's concerns about the strain on local infrastructure and the potential impact on nearby businesses remain, and they hope to have a dialogue with the new DHS leadership to address these issues.