BYHALIA, Miss. – Republican U.S. Senator from Mississippi Roger Wicker has sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem outlining his his opposition to a proposed plan to convert a Byhalia warehouse into an ICE detention facility.

In the letter shared on his Facebook page, Wicker said that “while I support the enforcement of immigration law, I write to express my opposition to this acquisition and the proposed detention center.”

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Wicker said the site is currently intended for economic development purposes: “It represents an opportunity for job creation, private investment, and long-term economic growth in Marshall County.”

The senator said that DHS purchasing the warehouse and converting it into an ICE detention facility “forecloses economic growth opportunities and replaces them with a use that does not generate comparable economic returns or community benefits.”

Senator Wicker also voiced his concerns about how feasible transforming the facility would be in regards to the drain on infrastructure and resources the facility would require, as well as constituent concerns over “public safety, medical capacity, and economic impacts” it would have on their community.

“I strongly urge ICE to reconsider this acquisition and the development of a detention center in Byhalia, Mississippi,” Wicker wrote. “I look forward to your prompt response and request that you keep me informed of this acquisition and any future ICE contracting proposals affecting the state of Mississippi. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”