The Rivers Correctional Facility in Hertford County was closed in 2021 after reduced populations from COVID and an executive order from President Biden that stated “there is broad consensus that our current system of mass incarceration imposes significant costs and hardships on our society and communities and does not make us safer… to decrease incarceration levels, we must reduce profit-based incentives to incarcerate by phasing out the Federal Government’s reliance on privately operated criminal detention facilities.” The Rivers facility was known for high rates of assault, contraband, inadequate medical care and drug abuse. Rivers’ owner GEO Group’s facilities were responsible for almost a third of the deaths in ICE custody in 2025.

Local officials were not initially aware of the owner GEO Group’s proposal to DHS until brought up by concerned citizens. We have been raising awareness and education, while looking at creative ways to block the reopening of Rivers.

A field office for ICE is proposed at 11000 Regency Lakeview in an existing office park near Koka Booth Amphitheater. We assume that this is an OPLA office that will oversee legal proceedings. Unfortunately, the lease for 30,000 square feet was signed last Fall. We are still organizing to get the Mayor and City Council to find a way to cancel this contract.

This facility would utilize 8 of its former dorm buildings, supposedly to detain children. In 2022, the Office of Refugee Resettlement signed a $50.8M contract with the Academy to detain unaccompanied minors; however no children were ever housed on site and the contract was terminated early. The Academy owner Baptiste Group released a statement on February 5th that they had not been contacted by any federal agency about using the property. The City of Greensboro changed their ordinances to limit where detentions can be located, but the Supremacy Clause could overrule this.

We’re keeping an eye on this one while groups continue to speak out at city council meetings.

When the New York Times released an article in late February with updated ICE warehouse locations, Concord was added to the list. City officials had no information about the potential site and the property owner has stated that they have had no negotiations with DHS or ICE.

After a protest at the site and the property owner’s office, the property owner stated that they have no plans to sell to ICE or an intermediary. We are still working to put preventative measures in place in case a new warehouse location is released.

This office is down the street from a current, overcrowded DHS office that processes people for immigration meetings. It is not yet know what its purpose will be or the square footage.

On March 20, ICE released a Request for Information asking for companies to submit information for coworking capabilities across almost 100 cities in 42 states and Puerto Rico for ICE agents. We don’t know the exact purpose of the spaces, but we do not want them setting up homebase in our towns.

North Carolina Office of the Governor
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
(919) 814-2000

Dear Governor Stein,

I am writing to express my deep opposition to the proposed immigration detention centers in Winton and Greensboro, NC, the proposed warehouse in Concord and the proposed offices in Cary and Charlotte. Since the beginning of 2025 and with Charlotte’s Web, we have seen what the increased presence of Federal Agents and ICE facilities does to the communities that they occupy. As a North Carolina resident, I can say with full confidence that we are vehemently opposed to whatever improvements the administration feels that a detention center can provide.

Over the last year, the ACLU has reported the sexual and physical abuses committed by staff that are rampant in detention centers including physical violence and the denial of life-saving medications to cause painful death. Detention centers and warehouses are sites of trauma, family separation, and inadequate care, as made evident by the innumerable reports, complaints, and legal actions that have been taken against such facilities. Offices give greater access to snatch community members off the streets.

North Carolinians need disaster relief, healthcare assistance, and strong public education—not abuses that stain our state. You have spoken against ICE in the past for arresting people with no criminal history and also citizens. We urge you to demand accountability, immediately stop the funding and cooperation with ICE, redirect resources to real public needs, and stop the expansion of ICE facilities in North Carolina.

We ask you to speak out again. Protect your constituents. Protect our communities. Stop the expansion of ICE throughout North Carolina!

Regards,

[name]

Since January, there have been reports that DHS is considering plans to open ICE detention centers, warehouses and offices across the state. Recently expanded ICE detention centers have been associated with poor sanitation and food, in-custody deaths, and refusal to allow visits by congressional representatives, counsel, and family. Offices will allow more fear in our communities I ask you to stand up and publicly state that ICE expansion is not good for North Carolina and ask you to do all in your power to officially oppose these facilities.

North Carolina Office of the Governor
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
(919) 814-2000

Dear Attorney General Jackson,

I am writing to express my deep opposition to the proposed immigration detention centers in Winton and Greensboro, NC, the proposed warehouse in Concord and the proposed offices in Cary and Charlotte. Since the beginning of 2025 and with Charlotte’s Web, we have seen what the increased presence of Federal Agents and ICE facilities does to the communities that they occupy. As a North Carolina resident, I can say with full confidence that we are vehemently opposed to whatever improvements the administration feels that a detention center can provide.

Over the last year, the ACLU has reported the sexual and physical abuses committed by staff that are rampant in detention centers including physical violence and the denial of life-saving medications to cause painful death. Detention centers and warehouses are sites of trauma, family separation, and inadequate care, as made evident by the innumerable reports, complaints, and legal actions that have been taken against such facilities. Offices give greater access to snatch community members off the streets.

North Carolinians need disaster relief, healthcare assistance, and strong public education—not abuses that stain our state. You have spoken against ICE in the past for arresting people with no criminal history and also citizens. We urge you to demand accountability, immediately stop the funding and cooperation with ICE, redirect resources to real public needs, and stop the expansion of ICE facilities in North Carolina.

We ask you to speak out again. Protect your constituents. Protect our communities. Stop the expansion of ICE throughout North Carolina!

Regards,

[name]

Since January, there have been reports that DHS is considering plans to open ICE detention centers, warehouses and offices across the state. Recently expanded ICE detention centers have been associated with poor sanitation and food, in-custody deaths, and refusal to allow visits by congressional representatives, counsel, and family. Offices will allow more fear in our communities I ask you to stand up and publicly state that ICE expansion is not good for North Carolina and ask you to do all in your power to officially oppose these facilities.

Senator Hanig
300 N Salisbury St, Rm 629
Raleigh, NC
27603 919.715.8293

Representative Ward
1713 West Main St
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Dear Senator/Representative,

I am writing to express my deep opposition to the proposed immigration detention center in Hertford County at Rivers Correctional Institute. Since the beginning of 2025, we have seen what the increased presence of Federal Agents and ICE facilities does to the communities that they occupy. As a North Carolina resident, I can say with full confidence that we are vehemently opposed to whatever improvements the administration feels that a detention center can provide.

Over the last year, the ACLU has reported the sexual and physical abuses committed by staff that are rampant in detention centers along with forced labor, medical neglect, and lack of access to counsel. That is not law enforcement. That is state-sanctioned terror. Detention centers do not improve the median household income or boost non-government GDP.

Immigration detention centers are bringing chaos and a strain to the communities where they are located. We ask you to do what is possible to block the detention center from opening at Rivers. Protect your community and North Carolinians. Stop NC ICE detention centers!

Regards,

On January 29, the ACLU of NC reported that DHS is considering plans to repurpose the Rivers Correctional Facility into an ICE detention center. Recently expanded ICE detention centers have been associated with poor sanitation and food, in-custody deaths, and refusal to allow visits by congressional representatives, clergy, and family. I ask you to stand up and examine all legal avenues that are available to block this detention center. I believe that these centers are not a good or appropriate use of this facility and ask you to do all in your power to officially oppose it.

115 Justice Drive, Suite 1
Winton, NC 27986
(252) 358-7823

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing to express my deep opposition to the proposed immigration detention center in Hertford County at Rivers Correctional Institute. Since the beginning of 2025, we have seen what the increased presence of Federal Agents and ICE facilities does to the communities that they occupy. As a North Carolina resident, I can say with full confidence that we are vehemently opposed to whatever improvements the administration feels that a detention center can provide.

Over the last year, the ACLU has reported the sexual and physical abuses committed by staff that are rampant in detention centers along with forced labor, medical neglect, and lack of access to counsel. That is not law enforcement. That is state-sanctioned terror. Detention centers do not improve the median household income or boost non-government GDP.

Immigration detention centers are bringing chaos and a strain to the communities where they are located. We ask you to do what is possible to block the detention center from opening at Rivers. Protect your community and North Carolinians. Stop NC ICE detention centers!

Regards,

On January 29, the ACLU of NC reported that DHS is considering plans to repurpose the Rivers Correctional Facility into an ICE detention center. Recently expanded ICE detention centers have been associated with poor sanitation and food, in-custody deaths, and refusal to allow visits by congressional representatives, clergy, and family. I ask you to stand up and examine all legal avenues that are available to block this detention center. I believe that these centers are not a good or appropriate use of this facility and ask you to do all in your power to officially oppose it.

I am a [Cary resident, Triangle resident], contacting you with my concern about the news of an additional ICE facility planned in Cary. I ask you as a representative of this city, to do everything in your power to oppose this ICE expansion in our area.

These offices increase fear in our local immigrant groups and put them more at risk for unnecessary harassment and detainment. We know from there children are kept from school, families are unable to work, pay rent or buy groceries. Please help, from something as simple as releasing a public statement of opposition on behalf of the city, passing city ordinances, requiring additional permitting, or coordinating with County or State leadership.

Thank you for standing up for Cary.

I am a [Cary resident, Triangle resident], contacting you with my concern about the news of an additional ICE facility planned in Cary. I ask you as a representative of this city, to do everything in your power to oppose this ICE expansion in our area.

From something as simple as releasing a public statement of opposition on behalf of the city, passing city ordinances, requiring additional permitting, or coordinating with County or State leadership.

Thank you for standing up for Cary.

Dear Senator/Representative,

I am writing to express my deep opposition to the proposed children’s immigration detention center in Greensboro. Since the beginning of 2025, we have seen what the increased presence of Federal Agents and ICE facilities does to the communities that they occupy. As a North Carolina resident, I can say with full confidence that we are vehemently opposed to whatever improvements the administration feels that a detention center can provide.

Over the last year, the ACLU has reported the sexual and physical abuses committed by staff that are rampant in detention centers along with forced labor, medical neglect, and lack of access to counsel. The trauma that comes from separating children from their families will be long lasting. This is not law enforcement but state-sanctioned terror. Detention centers do not improve the median household income or boost non-government GDP.

Immigration detention centers are bringing chaos and a strain to the communities where they are located and harming our neighbors. We ask you to do what is possible to block the detention center from opening at the Hebrew Academy. Protect your community and North Carolinians. Stop NC ICE detention centers!

Regards,

On January 29, the ACLU of NC reported that DHS is considering plans to repurpose the American Hebrew Academy into an ICE detention center. Recently expanded ICE detention centers have been associated with poor sanitation and food, in-custody deaths, and refusal to allow visits by congressional representatives, clergy, and family. I ask you to stand up and examine all legal avenues that are available to block this detention center. I believe that these centers are not a good or appropriate use of this facility and ask you to do all in your power to officially oppose it.

I’m writing to share my deep opposition to any future ICE warehouse here in Concord. While any detention may be in a privately owned building, other jurisdictions have used every legal method in their power to halt these warehouses from opening. As you know, these warehouses are overcrowded and violent, have inhumane conditions, and do not allow those detained access to medical care or counsel. I also ask that the Concord-Padgett Airport not be used for any ICE functions.

Regards,

While the proposed detention center fortunately did not come to fruition, that does not make our immigrant neighbors feel safe. Please speak out against immigrant detention facilities to deter local warehouse owners from selling to ICE.