Key Takeaways
• Expansion of Folkston ICE center paused after June 5, 2025 protests and federal contract review.
• Proposed capacity increase: from 1,118 to 2,986 beds, merging Folkston with D. Ray James facility.
• Congress approved $430M in 2025 for ICE detention; private contractor GEO Group operates 20 centers.
The planned expansion of the Folkston ICE Processing Center in Charlton County, Georgia, has become a major flashpoint in the national debate over immigration detention in the United States 🇺🇸. As of June 2025, this controversial project—set to more than double the size of the country’s largest ICE detention center—has been put on hold. The pause follows strong protests from immigrant rights groups, a federal contract review, and a delayed local government vote. The future of the expansion remains uncertain, but the issue highlights deep divisions over immigration policy, the role of private prison contractors, and the treatment of people held in ICE custody.
Expansion Plan Paused After Public Outcry
On June 5, 2025, the federal government paused a $47 million contract to expand the Folkston ICE Processing Center. The facility, located in Charlton County, was set to increase its capacity from 1,118 beds to 2,986 beds. This would have made it a central hub for detaining immigrants across the Southeast. The expansion plan included merging the existing Folkston center with the nearby D. Ray James facility, creating a combined mega-center.
The contract pause came after weeks of protests and advocacy by groups such as El Refugio, Detention Watch Network, and the ACLU. These organizations raised concerns about human rights, due process, and the impact on local communities. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Government Ethics (DOGE) is now reviewing the contract, as required for all Department of Homeland Security agreements over $20 million.
At the same time, the Charlton County Board of Commissioners postponed a scheduled vote to approve a contract modification with ICE. This local approval is needed for the expansion to move forward, but no new date has been set for the vote.
What’s at Stake: Why the Expansion Matters
The Folkston ICE Processing Center is already the largest ICE detention center in the country. If expanded, it would become even more important to the federal government’s immigration enforcement strategy. The plan reflects a broader national trend: ICE has been working to increase detention capacity, especially under President Trump’s current policies.
In March 2025, Congress approved at least $430 million in new funding for ICE detention beds, transportation, and deportation costs. A House Judiciary bill now proposes $45 billion for ICE detention through 2029—a 365% increase over current levels. This includes $14.4 billion for transportation and removal operations, and funding for 10,000 new ICE officers.
Key Numbers:
– Folkston Expansion: Proposed increase from 1,118 to 2,986 beds
– Combined Capacity: Would merge Folkston (1,100 beds) with D. Ray James (1,870 beds)
– ICE Detention Nationwide: 144 facilities as of April 2025, up from 111 in October 2024 (30% increase)
– Private Contractor Involvement: GEO Group, Inc. operates 20 ICE facilities with over 22,000 beds in the United States 🇺🇸
Voices of Opposition: Advocates Speak Out
Immigrant rights advocates have been at the forefront of the fight against the Folkston expansion. They argue that increasing detention capacity will worsen already poor conditions and lead to more people being held for longer periods.
Amilcar Valencia, Executive Director of El Refugio, said:
“People should be able to go back to their communities to continue a process without being detained… We are here demanding that the county… stops any efforts to expand the Folkston detention center, because… this is going to affect… the whole community throughout the state of Georgia and the Carolinas as well.”
Silky Shah, Executive Director of Detention Watch Network, described the situation inside ICE detention centers:
“People are being packed into overcrowded cells. People are not getting medical care. They’re in conditions where they’re languishing. And they’re doing everything they can to expand, expand, expand…”
Eunice Cho, Senior Staff Attorney with the ACLU National Prison Project, criticized the use of taxpayer money:
“This expansion is a disastrous waste of billions of taxpayer dollars that will only line the coffers of the private prison industry.”
These groups have documented chronic overcrowding, lack of medical care, and poor living conditions in existing facilities. They warn that expansion would expose even more people to these problems.
How the Expansion Process Works
Expanding an ICE detention center like Folkston involves several steps:
- Federal Contract Proposal: ICE proposes the expansion and seeks bids from private contractors.
- Federal Review: Contracts over $20 million must be reviewed by the Department of Justice’s Office of Government Ethics.
- Local Government Approval: The local county board—in this case, the Charlton County Board of Commissioners—must approve any contract changes.
- Implementation: If approved, the contractor (often a private prison company) expands or reopens the facility, increasing the number of beds.
Currently, the process is stuck at the federal review and local approval stages. Both must be completed before any construction or expansion can begin.
The Role of Private Prison Companies
Private prison contractors play a major role in ICE detention. GEO Group, Inc. operates the Folkston ICE Processing Center and 19 other ICE facilities in the United States 🇺🇸, with a total of over 22,000 beds. Globally, GEO Group manages 81,000 beds. The company stands to profit from any expansion, as more beds mean more government contracts and payments.
Critics argue that private companies have a financial incentive to keep detention numbers high. They point out that expanding facilities like Folkston will further entrench the private sector’s role in immigration enforcement.
Impact on Detainees and Local Communities
Advocates say that expanding the Folkston ICE Processing Center would have serious consequences for both detainees and the surrounding community.
For Detainees:
– Overcrowding: Many ICE facilities are already overcrowded. Adding more beds could mean more people packed into tight spaces.
– Medical Care: Reports show that detainees often do not get needed medical attention. A June 2024 report found that 95% of deaths in ICE custody between 2017 and 2021 were likely preventable.
– Due Process: Many people held in ICE detention have no criminal record. As of April 2025, 44.7% of detainees had no criminal history. Some are denied release even after winning their immigration cases.
For Local Communities:
– Increased Enforcement: A larger ICE detention center could lead to more immigration enforcement in the area, affecting families and workers.
– Strained Resources: Local services, such as hospitals and emergency responders, may face more pressure.
– Community Tension: The presence of a large detention center can create fear and division in the community.
National Trends: More Beds, More Detention
The Folkston expansion is part of a larger pattern. Over the past year, ICE has increased the number of detention facilities by 30%. This growth is driven by new agreements with private contractors and local law enforcement agencies.
Congress has repeatedly increased funding for ICE detention, with the latest appropriations and pending bills representing historic highs. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these funding increases are likely to result in more arrests, longer detention times, and more contracts for private prison companies.
Multiple Perspectives: Who Stands Where?
The debate over the Folkston ICE Processing Center brings together many different voices and interests:
- Immigrant Rights Advocates: Strongly oppose expansion. They cite human rights abuses, overcrowding, lack of medical care, and due process problems.
- Local Officials: The Charlton County Board of Commissioners must approve the expansion. They face pressure from both advocates and those who support the project.
- ICE and Federal Government: Want to increase detention capacity to support mass deportation policies.
- Private Prison Contractors: Stand to profit from expanded contracts and more beds.
- Congress: The majority has supported increased funding for detention and deportation.
- Affected Immigrants: Face longer detention, poor conditions, and legal uncertainty.
Policy Implications: What Does This Mean for Immigration?
Experts warn that simply expanding detention centers will not fix the deeper problems in the immigration system. These include:
- Case Backlogs: Many people spend months or years in detention waiting for their cases to be heard.
- Due Process Failures: Some detainees are denied fair hearings or access to lawyers.
- Human Rights Concerns: Reports of abuse, neglect, and preventable deaths continue to surface.
Civil rights organizations such as the ACLU, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and Physicians for Human Rights have documented systemic rights violations in ICE custody. They argue that more beds and more funding will only make these problems worse.
What Happens Next? The Road Ahead
The future of the Folkston ICE Processing Center expansion remains uncertain. Several key decisions are still pending:
- Local Vote: The Charlton County Board of Commissioners will reschedule their vote on the expansion. The outcome is not yet known.
- Federal Review: The Department of Justice’s Office of Government Ethics must complete its review of the $47 million contract.
- Legislative Action: If Congress passes the House Judiciary bill, ICE could receive even more funding for detention and enforcement, leading to further expansion.
Meanwhile, immigrant rights groups are expected to continue their efforts to stop the expansion and push for alternatives to detention. These alternatives could include community-based programs, case management, and legal support for people going through immigration proceedings.
Resources for Stakeholders
If you want to learn more or get involved, here are some key resources:
- Charlton County Board of Commissioners: For updates on local votes and public comment opportunities, visit the Charlton County official website.
- ICE Detention Reporting and Information: Call 1-888-351-4024 for information about ICE detention centers.
- ACLU National Prison Project: Visit the ACLU website for advocacy resources and documents.
- Detention Watch Network: Find national advocacy and policy resources at Detention Watch Network.
- Official ICE Facility Information: For details about ICE detention centers, visit the ICE Detention Facility Locator.
Takeaways and Next Steps
The pause on the Folkston ICE Processing Center expansion is a major development in the ongoing debate over immigration detention in the United States 🇺🇸. While the future of the project is unclear, the controversy has brought national attention to the conditions inside ICE detention centers, the role of private prison companies, and the impact on local communities.
If you are concerned about these issues, you can:
– Stay informed about upcoming votes and public meetings in Charlton County.
– Contact your local representatives to share your views on immigration detention.
– Support organizations working to protect the rights of immigrants and detainees.
– Learn more about your rights and the rights of others in ICE detention by visiting the ICE Detention Facility Locator.
As the debate continues, the voices of advocates, local officials, and affected families will shape the future of immigration policy—not just in Charlton County, but across the United States 🇺🇸. The outcome of the Folkston ICE Processing Center expansion will set an important precedent for how the country handles immigration enforcement, detention, and the rights of those seeking a better life.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the ongoing pause and review of the Folkston ICE Processing Center expansion could influence similar projects nationwide, as both advocates and policymakers watch closely to see what happens next.
Learn Today
ICE Detention Center → Facility where Immigration and Customs Enforcement holds immigrants during deportation processes.
Federal Contract Review → Government evaluation of large contracts over $20 million for ethics and compliance.
Private Prison Contractor → Company that operates detention centers under government contracts, often profiting from inmate numbers.
Overcrowding → Condition where detention centers hold more detainees than designed capacity, causing poor living conditions.
Due Process → Legal right ensuring fair procedures and hearings for detained immigrants.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Folkston ICE Processing Center expansion is paused after protests and federal reviews. Plans aimed to more than double detention beds amid rising national ICE detention funding and concerns about private prison profits and detainee welfare.
— By VisaVerge.com
