Kristi Noem scolded by Senate Republican over ICE detention center plot in his state

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) lashed out at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over an effort to build ICE detention facilities in his state.

"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," Wicker wrote Noem in a letter on Wednesday. "I write to express my opposition to this acquisition and the proposed detention center."

"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," he continued. "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."

Wicker also said that many of his constituents "voiced concerns regarding the public safety, medical capacity, and economic impacts this center would impose on their communities."

"I strongly urge ICE to reconsider this acquisition and the development of a detention center in Byhalia, Mississippi," the senator concluded.

Commentator Rick Wilson noted that the letter was a bad sign for ICE detention centers across the country.

"When you're losing the immigration concentration camp battle in Mississippi, you're losing the immigration concentration camp battle," Wilson said.