CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Immigration advocates, faith leaders, and community members gathered outside the federal courthouse in Uptown Charlotte on Friday, calling on lawmakers to reject any plans that could expand immigration detention centers in North Carolina.
The rally brought together organizers from the Carolina Migrant Network, Indivisible Charlotte and Stop Detention Centers NC, who say they are concerned about discussions surrounding potential detention facilities in Concord, Winton and Greensboro.
“We do not want detention centers in our state – not in Concord, not in Winton, not in Greensboro – not anywhere,” said Maryann Ruiz, community organizer coordinator with Carolina Migrant Network.
Organizers pointed to reports that GEO Group has proposed reopening the former Rivers Correctional Facility in Winton as an immigration detention center.
Throughout the rally, protesters chanted “Communities, not cages” as speakers urged state leaders to reject any expansion of immigration detention facilities.
“When mothers are separated from their children, when families live in fear and when detention centers become substitutes for compassion, we are called to ask ourselves what kind of community are we creating,” said Rev. Glencie Rhedrick.
Several attendees said they are worried that expanding detention facilities could have broader impacts on immigrant communities.
“It starts with the quote, unquote criminals, but it’s a slippery slope,” said attendee Karen Flint.
Others called on local governments to publicly oppose any future detention center projects.
“We’d like our city and county governments to say they will not allow building or converting prisons or jails here to be used as ICE detention centers,” said attendee Amy Peterman.
Organizers said they hope their message reaches lawmakers across North Carolina and leads to action.
“Today we are making demands clear. We demand NC lawmakers use the power available to them to stop the expansion of ICE detention centers across our state,” Rhedrick said.
Advocates say they plan to continue organizing and speaking out against any future immigration detention center expansion efforts in North Carolina.
