Rapid Expansion of Georgia Detention Centers is Leading to Real Issues for Georgians

In 2025, the Trump Administration deported over 605,000 immigrants in efforts led by the Department of Homeland Security. As a result of these deportations, detention centers around the country have reached maximum capacity. The facilities are now expanding to meet the rising influx of prisoners. This places a considerable amount of strain on the cities and communities they occupy. 

So what do these expansions mean for Georgia?

In June 2025, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced plans to build the country’s largest detention center in Folkston, Georgia. The new center is set to be an expansion of the Folkston center, which houses 1,100 detainees. The plan is to combine the Folkson Center with the D. Ray James, a former prison located on the adjacent property. The combined two prisons would hold a total of 2,970 detainees. The original plan for the expansion would cost $47 million and was flagged for review by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE is responsible for reviewing any plan that will cost the government over $20 million. The plan was originally flagged, but DOGE ultimately approved it.

In Social Circle, Georgia, ICE announced plans for a completely new facility to be built just 45 minutes outside of Atlanta. Georgia already ranks in the top 10 for ICE detention facilities with 4 major compounds in the state. Both the mayor and the city manager have concerns about the strain this facility will put on the small town of under 5,000 residents. They are worried that the town can not handle the increase in water and sewage demand. There are also concerns over public safety and the influx of people. Currently, the town is fighting against the construction of this center. The residents are waiting on a ruling to determine who owns the building. If the federal government does, the town doesn’t have much of a say in the construction. The town has not backed down from its fight, and continues to oppose the expansion.

Why is this bad for Georgians?

In July 2025, Congress passed a budget that allocated $45 billion for the construction of new immigration centers. This represented a 265% increase from the previous budget. It also means that ICE has a 62% larger budget than the entire federal prison system. This was in addition to the $29.9 billion allocated to ICE’s enforcement and deportation daily operations. These budget increases come directly out of the taxpayers’ pockets. In order to fund the construction of facilities, other welfare programs are being cut or frozen for Georgians.

Among these freezes was $40 million for 21st Century Community Learning Centers. This freeze left summer and after-school care for students uncertain in many communities. In healthcare, freezes made it more difficult to allocate money in emergencies and limited flexibility of hospitals. Public services also took a hit with high-speed internet not being afforded to lower-income areas. It also means plans for more electric vehicles are stalled. In response, the state government had to make major changes to keep programs running. These changes included operating without the funds, using Georgia’s rainy day funds, or increasing other taxes.

Outside of the economic issues that arise with detention centers and mass deportations, these plans have social impacts as well. In 2011, the Anti-Immigration Law largely impacted Georgia farmers. The law created a shortage of farm workers in an industry where 70% of the workers are undocumented immigrants. Without workers, food gets left out in the fields, spoils, and can’t be sold. Additionally, 16.1% of the service industry is made up of migrant workers who provide food for the whole state. These moves have also alienated different groups of people who may feel unsafe in certain public areas or around large groups of people. In February 2025, there were two separate Latino days at the Georgia Capitol because people were worried about ICE raids. 

What should Georgians do?

Many other states already have legislation in place to prevent the expansion of detention centers. In 2021, Illinois passed The Way Forward Act which banned private and for-profit immigration facilities. The federal government has also proposed legislation aimed at stopping these events. In 2023, The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act was introduced in the 118th Congress. This act would have improved the quality of U.S. detention centers as well as eliminating private facilities. While Congress did not pass this bill, introducing this legislation still draws more attention to the issue. Georgians should continue to call their representatives and push for ICE and immigration reforms. These changes start with individuals who care about the issues and want to make an impact.

Alex Young is a fourth-year at the University of Georgia studying political science and international affairs. She is a member of our communications group.