Sen. Raphael Warnock has proposed an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill awaiting a vote in Congress that would kill plans for ICE detention facilities in Oakwood and Social Circle.
The amendment says “None of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available to the Department of Homeland
Security, by this Act…or by any
other Act may be used by the Department of Homeland
Security for the acquisition, construction, renovation, or
expansion of any U.S. Immigration and Enforcement detention
center located in Social Circle, Georgia or Oak
wood, Georgia unless such action in either such location
is explicitly authorized by an Act of Congress.
“…Any acquisition, construction, or expansion by
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of a facility
intended to be used for the detention of noncitizens in So
cial Circle, Georgia or Oakwood, Georgia shall be subject
to all applicable environmental laws and inspection requirements…”
This follows a flurry of activity this week concerning the Oakwood proposal during which the Oakwood City Manager said the town was “blindsided” by plans to locate a facility there, Congressman Andrew Clyde confirmed DHS purchase of the Oakwood site and plans for it, and the Hall County Commission (HCC) weighed in. HCC reacts to news confirming ICE facility is coming to S. Hall
Meanwhile, SRN/NEWS/REUTERS report the Senate Thursday blocked legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security past a Friday deadline, as Democrats pressed to rein in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
The 52-47 vote, short of the 60 votes needed to advance the bill, raises the likelihood the embattled agency would face a shutdown if funding expires on Saturday, though any real-world impact could be minimal.
Democrats said they would not support funding the agency unless Republicans agree to reforms that would rein in immigration agents. The department faces a widespread public backlash after agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said continued funding without reforms would give the green light to “a rogue police force that doesn’t obey the rules that every local police force and sheriff’s office must obey.”
The chamber’s top Republican, John Thune, argued that the legislation rejected by Democrats would address some of their proposals, including new oversight provisions and funding for body cameras and de-escalation training.
“It’s starting to look like Democrats might not have been interested in actual reforms,” he said.
