Local and area residents have been making passionate appeals at Bradford County Commission meetings lately in response to a proposal to turn an old warehouse into a 3,000 bed ICE detention center. 

Things got off on a bad footing from the start since the public was only given two days' notice before Sabot consulting company gave their presentation and proposal to the Bradford County Commission. In a 3/2 vote, Sabot was allowed to move forward with presenting the idea to ICE/DHS and come back to the county commission for a decision, assuming ICE is interested. It is being touted as a means to revamp an old warehouse owned by the county and bring economic stimulus by bringing jobs.

The draft proposed plan would occur in three stages of 1,000 beds each and with a total of 1,200 staff. The warehouse is located at the entrance to downtown and across from a Walmart. The estimated cost per bed is more than $250 per day, to be supposedly paid by DHS. The property has numerous considerations that may make DHS/ICE think twice about the plan. There is currently no sewer or water to the property, and it would need to be provided by the  City of Starke. There is also an issue of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the site that have contaminated local wells. Environmental viability to house humans on the site may be a deal breaker.

Since the January 15th meeting, there has been opposition at every meeting. Some asked important questions while others made moral arguments against caging humans in warehouses. There were concerns posed about economic decline and loss of rural tone.

Now it is a waiting game to hear back from Sabot. Meanwhile, no time to waste in gathering opposition. Local groups banded together to plan for activities. There were paint parties to re-paint old campaign yard signs. On May 2, 2026, there will be a community-led Community Conversation on ICE Detention Center at the Bradford County Library in Starke from 1:30 – 4:30 PM. Presentations about the issue will take place from 3-4 with information stations on the various aspects for visiting during the day.

The next Bradford County commission meetings will be April 7th at 9:30 AM and April 17th at 6:30 PM at the county courthouse.