County board opposes rumored Woodbury ICE facility, citing ‘humanitarian,’ fiscal costs

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    Debate over possible ICE facility in WoodburyDebate over possible ICE facility in Woodbury

The Washington County Board of Commissioners is pushing back on the possibility of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) opening a detention center in Woodbury.

The issue first gained traction following a Washington Post report mentioning Woodbury on a list of more than 20 locations the federal government is considering for potential ICE detention facilities.

Hundreds of people showed up to give their opinions at a meeting on Tuesday.

“I don’t think they’ve earned our trust the way they’ve been acting this last tear,” said Bruce Weeks, a Washington County resident. “It’s more paranoid politics than law.”

The detention center would possibly be located in a warehouse facility off of Hudson Road, according to the city. Woodbury Mayor Anne Burt and other city officials posted online that they haven’t been contacted by ICE or other federal agencies about the possibility of the property being used as a detention center.

Washington County commissioners say they haven’t been notified of any location either or received any details from ICE about possible plans.

“We darn well cannot afford it from a humanitarian perspective,” Washington County Board Chair Karla Bigham said.

Bigham says all commissioners oppose the idea of an ICE facility — including for financial reasons, citing the potential loss of $770,000 in revenue on that space because it would become tax exempt.

“There is no one on this board that supports an ICE detention center. We can’t afford it financially,” Bigham said.

While the commissioners aren’t sure if there’s anything they can do to stop it, they said they are exploring their options.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to ICE to learn more about their possible plans but has yet to hear back.

There will be another opportunity for the public to weigh in at the Woodbury City Council meeting on Wednesday.
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