GOP Senator Opposes Planned ICE Detention Facility in Home State

Sen. Roger Wicker warns the facility would hurt the local economy in Mississippi.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, is opposing a plan by the Trump administration to establish a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in his home state. Wicker says the facility would hurt the local economy and place a strain on the area's resources.

Why it matters

The proposed ICE detention facility has become a contentious political issue, with critics arguing that such facilities negatively impact local communities. Wicker's opposition as a Republican senator from the state where the facility is planned adds an interesting dynamic to the debate.

The details

Wicker wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, warning that converting a warehouse in Byhalia, Mississippi into an ICE detention center would "foreclose economic growth opportunities" and not generate comparable economic returns or community benefits. He also raised concerns about the facility's impact on local infrastructure and resources, noting that the proposed 8,500-bed facility would place "significant strain" on the area.

  • The Trump administration first announced plans for the new ICE detention facility in Byhalia, Mississippi in early 2026.

The players

Sen. Roger Wicker

A Republican senator representing the state of Mississippi, where the proposed ICE detention facility would be located.

Kristi Noem

The current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that would operate the proposed detention facility in Byhalia, Mississippi.

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What they’re saying

“The site is currently positioned for economic development purposes. It represents an opportunity for job creation, private investment, and long-term growth in Marshall County.”

— Sen. Roger Wicker (wgntv.com)

“Establishing a detention center at this site would place significant strain on local resources.”

— Sen. Roger Wicker (wgntv.com)

What’s next

Wicker could attempt to block the facility by adding language to the full-year Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which congressional negotiators hope to pass before Feb. 13, when a stopgap funding measure will expire.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political debate over ICE detention facilities and their impact on local communities. As a Republican senator opposing a facility in his home state, Wicker's stance adds an interesting wrinkle to the discussion around immigration enforcement and its consequences for residents.