As Coronavirus Spreads Worldwide, Advocates Call For Release Of Detainees At Ga. Immigration Center

Stewart Detention Center, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in southwest Georgia, is one of the country’s largest, holding about 2,000 people.

DAvid Goldman / Associated PRess file

Immigrant-rights advocates warn of an impending coronavirus outbreak inside the Stewart Detention Center in southwest Georgia.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility is one of the country’s largest, holding about 2,000 people. It’s just one hour from Dougherty County, which has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

Kevin Caron with Georgia Detention Watch was able to tour the Stewart Detention Center facility a few years ago. He said many of the detainees live in open floor pods with about 60 people on rows of bunk beds bolted to the floor.