Overview
- City of Social Circle officials say Congressman Mike Collins notified them that the Department of Homeland Security is no longer pursuing the proposed ICE detention center.
- Local residents and officials mounted months of opposition that included a lawsuit, municipal actions on site utilities, and public advocacy to challenge the plan.
- City leaders say the parcel could be sold if no other federal agency claims it and they expect any disposal to be handled through the General Services Administration.
- The city publicly thanked Collins and noted visits and policy efforts by Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to press for local input and legislation requiring local approval for federal detention facilities.
- Officials warned that DHS has not issued a separate public statement and the timing and outcome of any federal sale remain uncertain, with local leaders hopeful the land will return to the local tax base and spur economic benefit.