ICE Plans Large Immigration Detention Center in North Carolina
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to open a large immigration detention center by the end of 2026 at the former Rivers Correctional Institution in Hertford County, North Carolina. The facility, owned by the GEO Group, could hold approximately…
Charlotte, NC, July 25, 2026 —
Hertford County, NC – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced plans to establish a significant immigration detention facility in Hertford County, North Carolina. The center is slated to open by the end of 2026 at the site of the former Rivers Correctional Institution.
The facility, which will be operated by the GEO Group, has the potential to house approximately 1,400 detainees. If completed as planned, it would rank among the largest immigration detention centers on the East Coast.
The proposed opening has already drawn opposition from state leadership. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has publicly stated his opposition to the facility being located within the state. Additionally, local and regional protests have been organized by individuals and groups concerned about the center’s establishment.
The former Rivers Correctional Institution has been vacant, and its repurposing by ICE marks a significant development for the region. The GEO Group, a private prison operator, will manage the facility. Information regarding the specific timeline for construction or renovations and the exact start date for operations beyond the end of 2026 was not immediately available.
Further details on the operational plans, security measures, and the impact on the local community are anticipated as the project progresses.
Story summarized from the original created by Alianna Kendall-Brooks on www.wbtv.com, see more information here.
