The Department of Homeland Security has completed the purchase of a warehouse in Social Circle, Ga., east of Atlanta, to set up a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center.
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, who represents Social Circle in Congress, has been a vocal supporter of ICE. He served as the middleman between DHS and local officials who oppose the facility.
“I fully support ICE, 100%,” the Republican said. “We need to get these illegal aliens out of our country and make sure that we process them and move them on.”
But local officials in the heavily Republican city say they do not have the infrastructure to support the proposed facility, which is intended to house up to 10,000 people — double the city’s resident population of 5,000.
“Talking with the local mayor and local officials down there, they don’t feel, which I agree with them, that is it a very good fit,” he said.
Collins said he is urging DHS to address Social Circle’s questions.
“They need to make sure that they take care of all the concerns of the local people there,” he said.
Collins had previously posted on his Facebook page about the plan.
The new detention center could be up and running as soon as April.
Correction: An earlier headline for this story read: “U.S. Rep. Mike Collins backs DHS’ purchase of Social Circle warehouse for new ICE detention center”
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