Ossoff Backs Bill to Require Local Approval for New ICE Facilities

The proposed legislation would give communities a voice in the placement of new immigration detention centers.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:52pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a government building or immigration processing facility in muted earth tones, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows casting an air of quiet contemplation over the scene.A new federal bill aims to give local communities a voice in the placement of controversial immigration detention facilities.Oakwood Today

Senator Jon Ossoff has joined four other members of Congress in backing a new bill that would require the Department of Homeland Security to get local approval from towns before building new ICE facilities, including two sites planned for Georgia. The 'Respect for Local Communities Act' would mandate a 30-day public comment period and signed agreements with state and local officials before new processing sites or detention centers could be constructed.

Why it matters

The plans for new ICE facilities in Georgia, including one in Oakwood and another in Social Circle, have faced significant local opposition, with officials complaining of a lack of communication and transparency from the federal government. This bill aims to give communities more of a say in the placement of such facilities, which can have major impacts on local infrastructure and populations.

The details

The 'Respect for Local Communities Act' was introduced in the Senate by Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, and has been cosponsored by Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego from Arizona, and Jon Ossoff from Georgia. The bill would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from constructing, acquiring, or operating any new processing site or detention center without providing a mechanism for public comments, entering into a signed agreement with state and local officials, and providing Congress with advance notice.

  • In March 2026, Ossoff and fellow Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock cosigned a letter to DHS officials demanding answers on the planned ICE facilities in their state.
  • The Respect for Local Communities Act was introduced in the Senate in April 2026.

The players

Jon Ossoff

A Democratic Senator from Georgia who is running for reelection in 2026 and has backed the new bill to require local approval for new ICE facilities.

Jeanne Shaheen

A Democratic Senator from New Hampshire who introduced the Respect for Local Communities Act in the Senate.

Maggie Hassan

A Democratic Senator from New Hampshire who is a cosponsor of the Respect for Local Communities Act.

Mark Kelly

A Democratic Senator from Arizona who is a cosponsor of the Respect for Local Communities Act.

Ruben Gallego

A Democratic Representative from Arizona who is a cosponsor of the Respect for Local Communities Act.

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What they’re saying

“For months, the Social Circle community has been clear in its opposition to this administration's proposed ICE detention facility, which local leaders have warned risks overwhelming the city's infrastructure. Yet despite clear local opposition, this administration's plans and intentions have been shrouded in secrecy without any local input. This bill will require the federal government to get local agreement before building such facilities.”

— Jon Ossoff, U.S. Senator

“Our community remains strongly opposed to ICE's proposed detention facility, which risks overwhelming our infrastructure and more than tripling our population. ICE and DHS' failures to communicate with us about these plans has made the situation even worse and created months of havoc. We're grateful to Senator Ossoff for his continued opposition to this project and for his support of this federal legislation that would ensure our community has a voice in this process and cannot be ignored.”

— David Keener, Mayor of Social Circle, Georgia

What’s next

The Respect for Local Communities Act must still pass both the Senate and House of Representatives before being signed into law by the President.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to give local communities more of a say in the placement of new immigration detention facilities, which have faced significant opposition in Georgia and elsewhere due to concerns over infrastructure, population impacts, and lack of transparency from federal authorities.