Social Circle Prepares for Protests Over Planned ICE Detention Center

City looks to codify assembly rules as community voices concerns over facility

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Social Circle City Council is preparing to implement a public assembly ordinance in response to inquiries about potential protests against a planned U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in the city. The 1-million square-foot facility is set to be established in an existing warehouse, raising concerns from local residents and officials about the facility's impact on the community's infrastructure and resources.

Why it matters

The arrival of the ICE detention center in Social Circle has sparked concerns from the local community about the facility's size, its potential strain on the city's resources, and its proximity to an elementary school. The city is taking steps to codify public assembly rules in anticipation of protests, aiming to balance residents' First Amendment rights with public safety considerations.

The details

The Social Circle City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday to discuss implementing a public assembly ordinance, likely modeled after the detailed ordinance in place in the city of Rome, Georgia. The Rome ordinance requires permits for any outdoor demonstrations, rallies, or protests, regardless of the number of participants. It also prohibits certain conduct during assemblies, such as carrying weapons or using electronic sound amplification without prior approval. Social Circle officials say they have received numerous inquiries about the possibility of local protests against the ICE facility, prompting the need for a local ordinance.

  • The Social Circle City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 26, 2026 to discuss the proposed public assembly ordinance.
  • The city recently learned late last year from a Washington Post report that Social Circle was under consideration for an ICE detention facility.

The players

Social Circle City Council

The governing body of the city of Social Circle, Georgia, which is preparing to implement a public assembly ordinance in response to the planned ICE detention center.

Jay Crowley

The city attorney for Social Circle, who has pointed the council to the ordinance in place in the city of Rome as a template for a local public assembly rule.

Eric Taylor

The city manager of Social Circle, who has expressed a sense of urgency in getting a public assembly ordinance enacted due to inquiries the city has received about potential protests.

Gareth Fenley

A cofounder of Indivisible Boldly Blue, a local progressive group that opposes the planned ICE detention facility in Social Circle.

Traysa Cody Price

The mayor pro tem of Social Circle, who has criticized the federal government's lack of response to the city's concerns about the ICE detention center.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.