New Immigrant Detention Center Planned in North Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A proposed immigration detention center in North Carolina is set to open by the end of the year on the site of a decommissioned private prison, potentially becoming one of the largest facilities of its kind on the East Coast, according to an internal document referenced by The New York Times.
For nearly a year, various advocates, news sources, and public records have highlighted North Carolina as a prospective location for a new immigration detention facility.
On July 23, internal documents obtained by The New York Times revealed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to establish a detention center in northeastern North Carolina by late 2026, corroborating earlier reports.
The site in question is the former Rivers Correctional Facility, a for-profit prison located in Hartford County that closed in 2021 due to a troubling history of violence and sexual abuse.
Residents have reported noticing increased activity at the site, with trucks and workers observed moving equipment and erecting fences around the facility.
The facility is owned by GEO Group, one of the largest private prison operators globally, and has the capacity to accommodate approximately 1,400 detainees, as per published reports.
Opposition from Governor Josh Stein
Opposition to the proposal has intensified in recent weeks, marked by protests from local organizers and state leaders. A significant demonstration took place on July 22, drawing around 200 people to the North Carolina General Assembly.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein expressed his disapproval on July 24, stating, “I did not approve this deal because the ICE detention center planned for Winton is not state-run. Like many other North Carolinians, I do not want it in our state. ICE and Border Patrol do not earn our trust.”
ACLU Lawsuit Reveals Facility Plans
In January 2026, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina published records related to potential immigrant detention centers as part of a lawsuit against ICE for withholding information following a Freedom of Information Act request.
The documents indicated several potential sites for detention centers in North Carolina, including the Greensboro Detention Center and the former Rivers Correctional Facility in Winston. This facility was shuttered amid the Biden administration’s initiative to terminate the federal government’s reliance on private prisons.
Before its closure, Rivers had the highest rates of sexual misconduct, violence, drug use, and contraband, as highlighted in a 2016 federal report cited by The New York Times.
If converted into an immigrant detention facility, it would mark a significant precedent as the first of its kind in North Carolina and rank among the largest on the East Coast. While ICE has not confirmed plans for Rivers, it has indicated efforts to expand its detention capacities.
Protests Following Operation Charlotte’s Web
The proposal to open the detention center follows Operation Charlotte’s Web, an extensive immigration enforcement initiative initiated in Charlotte in 2025, which garnered national attention.
Since the Trump administration took office, ICE has arrested over 6,300 individuals in North Carolina, according to the Deportation Data Project. Recent surveys indicate that American adults are divided over the government’s aggressive deportation policies, with roughly half suggesting that the administration is either doing too much or too little.
The extent of public support for the proposed detention facility remains ambiguous, though several protests have emerged against it. On July 22, over 200 demonstrators rallied at the North Carolina statehouse, urging lawmakers to oppose the center. A similar backlash ensued in February when rumors circulated about a possible immigrant detention center in Concord, though those reports remain unconfirmed.
Employment Opportunities at the Facility
It is still unclear how many local residents would find employment at the new detention center. Prior to its closure, Rivers employed approximately 300 individuals. GEO Group has currently listed openings for a Facilities Maintenance Manager at Rivers, Inc., with a starting salary of $72,800 per year.
Liz Barber, director of policy and advocacy at the ACLU of North Carolina, emphasized the need for better opportunities for local residents. “We deserve better than this. The people of Hartford County deserve dignified jobs that support long-term investments in rural communities, not jobs that depend on the suffering of vulnerable communities.” Current poverty rates in Hartford County hover around 23 percent, nearly double the state average.
