U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., has formally voiced his opposition to a proposed federal plan that would significantly alter the future of an industrial site in Marshall County. In a letter sent to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Wicker objected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s reported plans to acquire a warehouse in Byhalia, Mississippi, and convert it into an ICE detention center.
According to the senator, the warehouse was originally designed and positioned as an industrial development site intended to attract private investment and create jobs in North Mississippi. Wicker emphasized that Marshall County is already experiencing steady economic momentum, with growing interest from employers seeking to locate or expand in the region. He warned that converting one of the county’s limited, development-ready industrial properties into a detention facility would effectively close the door on long-term economic opportunities better suited for the site.
While affirming his support for enforcing immigration law, Wicker raised concerns that an ICE detention center would not deliver comparable economic or community benefits. Instead, he argued, the change in use would undermine local development goals and replace potential job-creating investment with a facility that offers limited economic return.
The senator also outlined serious infrastructure and feasibility concerns associated with the proposal. He noted that detention centers place heavy demands on transportation systems, utilities, staffing, medical services, and emergency response capabilities. Based on his understanding, the proposed Byhalia facility could house more than 8,500 detainees, a scale that Wicker said far exceeds the capacity of existing medical and human services infrastructure in the area. He cautioned that such a facility would place substantial strain on local resources.
In addition to infrastructure challenges, Wicker referenced widespread concern among his constituents regarding public safety, healthcare capacity, and the broader economic impact the detention center could have on surrounding communities. He stressed that moving forward without fully addressing these concerns would disregard local input and community priorities.
Senator Wicker concluded his letter by strongly urging ICE to reconsider both the acquisition of the Byhalia warehouse and the plan to develop a detention center at the site. He requested to be kept informed of any developments related to the acquisition, as well as future ICE contracting proposals that could affect Mississippi, signaling his intent to continue advocating for economic development strategies aligned with local needs and long-term growth.