ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Two Georgia lawmakers are moving to help prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in Georgia.

Georgia Sen. Jaha Howard and South Fulton Councilmember Helen Willis, both Democrats, were set to hold a joint news conference on Sunday at 2 p.m. at South Fulton City Hall to outline initiatives to oppose ICE operations in the state.

Howard’s proposed bill would prohibit the use of state-controlled funds to establish or support any ICE detention facilities. Another one of his existing bills, SB 464, would also bar immigration agents from using biometric identification methods, including facial recognition software, in Georgia.

“Georgia communities deserve meaningful consultation before any federal detention expansion occurs,” said Howard, who represents the 35th district, which includes parts of Cobb and Fulton counties. “Decisions of this magnitude should not be imposed from the top down. Local residents, local officials, and state leaders must have a voice before irreversible commitments are made that could fundamentally alter the character and stability of a community.”

Meanwhile, Willis’ resolution would include a declaration that the city opposes the operation of any ICE detention facilities in South Fulton. The legislation would also state that South Fulton is not collaborating with ICE agents in any raids or sweeps.

The move comes days after Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, also a Democrat, proposed an amendment to the latest Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding package that would prohibit federal funds for ICE detention centers in Walton County’s Social Circle and Hall County’s Oakwood.

“The people of Georgia want secure borders; they do not want massive immigration detention centers in their backyards,” Warnock said. “If the Trump administration focused on getting violent criminals out of the country, we would not need new detention centers straining Georgia’s rural communities. That’s why I’m standing with the residents of Social Circle and Oakwood and fighting to block these detention facilities from towns that don’t want them.”

In Hall County, where Oakwood is located, many residents oppose the proposed ICE facility.

“Due to the lack of communication from our federal and state officials, I’m not for this facility,” District 3 Commissioner Gregg Poole said. “It will increase taxes for our Hall County citizens, and I do not support it.”

Oakwood officials said that although they support ICE’s actions, they have questions about the proposed site and how it will operate.

“We want to be explicit: the City of Oakwood supports ICE’s mission of apprehending and detaining individuals with criminal records. Our concern is not with the agency’s lawful role in public safety,” city officials said in a statement. “Our concern is with the proposed location and the process by which this site was selected, which occurred without consultation, coordination, or impact analysis involving any local governing body.”

In Social Circle, city officials are still trying to learn more after being informed that DHS has reportedly purchased a facility that will be used as an immigration detention facility.

“One of the questions I have is how they are going to get this done, and what’s expected of us. How are they going to address all the water and infrastructure needs?” said City Manager Eric Taylor.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.