Homeland Security and Civil Infrastructure

The Department of Homeland Security bought a massive Georgia warehouse to convert into a 7,500-10,000-bed ICE detention center in Social Circle. The 1.2 million square foot industrial building was purchased for about $129 million and plans include 80 detention blocks, processing rooms, court services, and special management units. Local officials say they first learned of the sale through media reports in December and that DHS has not answered months of questions about water, sewage, and safety. Residents and town leaders warn aging water lines and a limited sewage system cannot handle an estimated 1,001,683 gallons of daily wastewater from the facility, and the site sits near an elementary school.