GEO Group Establishes Agreement with ICE for Immigration Processing Center
GEO Group, which owns the former Rivers Correctional Center in Winton, North Carolina, has announced the signing of a five-year support services agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This agreement will facilitate the operation of a federal immigration processing center at the facility, which has a capacity of 1,320 beds.
The anticipation of an immigration center at this location arose following a report by The New York Times, which referenced internal federal documents. Sources indicate that once operational, the facility will be one of the largest on the East Coast, with plans to accommodate up to 1,400 detainees by the end of the year.
According to a press release, the support services agreement is projected to generate around $80 million in annual revenue during its first full year of operation. GEO’s responsibilities will encompass exclusive use of the facility for ICE, as well as offering security, maintenance, food services, recreational facilities, medical care, and access to legal counsel.
George C. Zory, Chairman, CEO, and Founder of GEO, expressed optimism about the Rivers facility’s role in addressing the demand for additional bed space at federal immigration processing centers, highlighting the company’s 40-year partnership with ICE. He expressed pride in GEO’s support for federal immigration enforcement priorities.
The Rivers Correctional Center was constructed in 2001 in northeastern North Carolina, approximately 25 miles from the Virginia border, and operated as a federal correctional facility until its closure in 2021. The Carolina Journal had initially reported in February that the site was a potential candidate for a detention facility, although county officials stated they had not received any formal notification from ICE regarding its intent.
In a broader context, The New York Times revealed in February that ICE was planning to acquire multiple warehouses across 21 cities, including Concord in Cabarrus County, to renovate them for housing undocumented immigrants. Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) mentioned potential developments at the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, although both reports lacked substantial evidence.
Further analysis from The New York Times indicated that ICE had intentions to divest from seven warehouses purchased for over $700 million. If negotiations conclude successfully, internal documents suggest that ICE’s field office in Washington will oversee the new detention center, with operations possibly commencing by the end of September.
This facility will be situated within North Carolina’s competitive 1st Congressional District, where incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Don Davis faces a rematch against Republican contender Laurie Buckhout in the forthcoming November elections. Local leaders argue that the center could provide essential job opportunities in a county where the population is under 20,000 and the poverty rate stands at 23%, almost double that of the state average.
Local Opposition to Facility Reopening
Despite the potential economic benefits, the reopening of the Rivers facility has encountered significant opposition. Residents have expressed concerns about the impact on their small, rural community, fearing protests and unrest. Governor Josh Stein has voiced his disapproval on social media, reflecting widespread resistance to the facility’s reopening.
Recent data from the Deportation Data Project reveals that federal immigration agents have arrested over 6,300 individuals since January 2025. In response to these developments, state lawmakers recently overrode the governor’s veto on a controversial measure that mandates state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE when they suspect an individual’s immigration status.
SB 153, also known as the “North Carolina Border Protection Act,” is sponsored by State Senators Phil Berger, Warren Daniel, and Buck Newton. Framed as a public safety initiative, the bill aims to enhance collaboration with federal immigration enforcement while also targeting local governments with sanctuary policies by holding them accountable for noncompliance with state immigration laws.
