WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Kristi Noem this week about his concerns for an ICE Detention Center in Mississippi.
Sen. Wicker expressed opposition to a proposed DHS plan to purchase a warehouse in Byhalia, Mississippi, and to convert it into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. The warehouse is designed as an industrial site to attract economic investment in Mississippi. Converting this site into an ICE detention facility would strain the existing local infrastructure and foreclose on economic opportunities better suited for this site.
Below is the full text of the letter.
“Dear Secretary Noem:
It has come to my attention that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is in the final stages of acquiring a warehouse facility in Byhalia, Mississippi, and intends to convert it into an ICE detention center. While I support the enforcement of immigration law, I write to express my opposition to this acquisition and the proposed detention center.
This site is currently positioned for economic development purposes. It represents an opportunity for job creation, private investment, and long-term economic growth in Marshall County. The county is already experiencing meaningful growth and increased interest from employers seeking to locate or expand in North Mississippi. Preserving limited, development-ready industrial sites is essential to sustaining this growth. Converting this industrial asset into an ICE detention center forecloses economic growth opportunities and replaces them with a use that does not generate comparable economic returns or community benefits.
The proposed conversion also raises serious feasibility concerns. Detention facilities impose substantial and specialized infrastructure demands—including transportation access, water, sewer and energy costs, staffing, medical care, and emergency services. From my understanding, the ICE detention facility would have a capacity exceeding 8,500 beds. Existing medical and human services infrastructure in Byhalia is insufficient to support such a large detainee population. Establishing a detention center at this site would place significant strain on local resources.
Additionally, many of my constituents have voiced concerns regarding the public safety, medical capacity, and economic impacts this center would impose on their communities. Proceeding with this acquisition without adequately addressing these issues disregards community input.
I strongly urge ICE to reconsider this acquisition and the development of a detention center in Byhalia, Mississippi. I look forward to your prompt response and request that you keep me informed of this acquisition and any future ICE contracting proposals affecting the state of Mississippi. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
-30-
