OAKWOOD, Ga. — Some residents of Oakwood, in Hall County, say they welcome a recent decision by U.S. Immigrant and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to sell a large warehouse that the federal government originally planned to convert into a immigrant detention facility.
The federal government purchased the 540,408 square foot warehouse on Atlanta Highway last year for $68.2 million.
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Oakwood City Officials complained they were not informed of the purchase until months later.
Channel 2 Action News reported when ICE said it wanted to turn the warehouse facility into a “processing center” for approximately 1,000 to 1,500 immigrant detainees. They would be housed in the facility for up to a week, before being transferred to another detention center.
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“Living in this neighborhood, it’s pretty quiet. I don’t think ICE would be a good location for it,” neighbor James Osburne told Channel 2’s Tom Regan.
Last week, Channel 2 Action News reported when the federal government sent letters to the city manager of Oakwood, and neighboring Flowery Branch, announcing it’s plans to put the warehouse up for sale.
The warehouse is located within Oakwood city limits.
“I think it’s great. I don’t think it needs to be here anyway. Why do they have to have it close to a church, being around here, it doesn’t make sense.” neighbor Mary Cheeks said.
Oakwood City Manager B.R. White said he welcomes news that the government is planning to sell the warehouse property and hopes DHS follows through with the sale.
DHS also informed the city manager of Social Circle, Georgia, that it planned to sell a warehouse facility it purchased there that was to be converted into an so-called “mega” immigrant detention facility.
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