NEWSBRIEF: Biden Administration Shutters GA Immigration Facility

Privately run Immigration Facility in Irwin County, GA shuttered.

Following pressure from Senator Jon Ossoff to end the Federal Government’s use of private contractors to run immigration facilities, the HUD Secretary ordered the Department to close it “as soon as possible”.

The HUD Press Release: Secretary Mayorkas also instructed Acting Director Johnson to prepare to discontinue the use of the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia as soon as possible and consistent with any legal obligations. The preparations will include preservation of evidence for ongoing investigations, relocation of ICE personnel if necessary, and the transfer of detained noncitizens whose continued detention remains necessary to achieve our national security, public safety, and border security mission.

“We have an obligation to make lasting improvements to our civil immigration detention system,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “This marks an important first step to realizing that goal. DHS detention facilities and the treatment of individuals in those facilities will be held to our health and safety standards. Where we discover they fall short, we will continue to take action as we are doing today.”