--- title: SR 788. City of Social Circle; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr788 cite_as: SR 788, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr788 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr788.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr788/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73283 date: 2026-02-18 status: introduced corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr787.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr789.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 95 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr788.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 788 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-02-17 last_action: Senate Read and Referred sponsors: - Harold Jones - Kim Jackson - Elena Parent - Nan Orrock - Sonya Halpern - Nikki Merritt - Sally Harrell - Ed Harbison - Gail Davenport - Kenya Wicks - Nabilah Islam Parkes - Sheikh Rahman - Michael Rhett - Derek Mallow - Josh McLaurin text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR788/2025 upstream_id: 2118600 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - immigration detention facility - Social Circle Georgia - Walton County - legislative resolution - federal government relations --- # SR 788. City of Social Circle; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 788 By: Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Orrock of the 36th, Halpern of the 39th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the City of Social Circle; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the current federal administration plans to spend billions of dollars to construct and operate what would become the largest detainment facilities in the United States to house individuals the administration intends to deport; and WHEREAS, one such facility will be placed in Social Circle, Georgia, despite clear and consistent objections from the community and its local leaders; and WHEREAS, the proposed facility would triple Social Circle's population and place extraordinary strain upon the city's water and sewer infrastructure, law enforcement capacity, and other essential public resources; and WHEREAS, the facility would be located less than one mile from an elementary school, raising citizen concerns regarding safety, traffic, and the well-being of children; and WHEREAS, Social Circle officials have warned that the proposed project would represent a "failure in security" and could fundamentally alter the safety of their community; and WHEREAS, Social Circle has continued to make a principled and courageous stand in opposition to what it views as an unwanted federal intrusion into its local affairs; and WHEREAS, the majority party's current state party platform plainly states: "We believe that our constitutional system of limited government, separation of powers, federalism, and the rights of the people—must be preserved uncompromised for future generations"; and WHEREAS, the City of Social Circle's defense of its sovereignty and resources presents a shining example of these principles in action and stands as a modern Profile in Courage at a time when so many cower when this White House is involved; and WHEREAS, Social Circle is located in Walton County, which is named for George Walton, a distinguished Georgian who signed the Declaration of Independence and fought in the American Revolutionary War; and WHEREAS, the American Revolutionary War was fought to secure this nation's independence from a monarch who believed himself unconstrained by the sovereignty of free people; and WHEREAS, the enduring American principle that tyranny cannot, should not, and will not supersede the sovereignty of free people remains as vital today as it was at the time George Walton signed the Declaration of Independence; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the courage and resolve of the City of Social Circle be recognized and commended. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend the City of Social Circle for capably and ably defending its citizens, resources, and local sovereignty against federal overreach and for embodying the spirit of Walton County's namesake, George Walton, who bravely fought for freedom in the American Revolutionary War and helped establish the fundamental American idea that tyranny cannot, should not, and will not trump the sovereignty of free people BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Social Circle. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate resolution commends the City of Social Circle for opposing a proposed federal immigration detention facility planned within its city limits. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a law that changes anyone's legal rights or duties. It responds to a plan by the federal government to build a large detention facility in Social Circle, Georgia, intended to house people the federal government wants to deport. The resolution states that local officials and residents have objected to the project, citing concerns about strain on water, sewer, and law enforcement resources, the facility's proximity to an elementary school, and impacts on community safety. The resolution formally commends the City of Social Circle for opposing the facility and connects that stance to the history of Walton County, named for Declaration of Independence signer George Walton. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Social Circle's mayor and city council. It does not create any funding, penalty, or regulatory change. ### What it does - Formally commends the City of Social Circle for opposing a proposed federal detention facility within its borders. - States the Senate's view that the facility would strain local water, sewer, and law enforcement resources. - Notes the facility's proximity to an elementary school as a cited safety concern. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Social Circle's mayor and city council. - Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement, since it is a commendation, not a regulatory bill. ### Who it affects The resolution names the City of Social Circle, its mayor and city council, and residents of Walton County. It references the federal administration's detention facility plans but does not change any federal or state agency's legal authority or obligations. ### Why it matters Because this is a commendation rather than binding legislation, it does not change any law, funding, or agency action regarding the detention facility. Its practical effect is a formal statement of the Georgia Senate's position, sent to local officials, rather than a policy or budget change. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe the proposed detention facility, its expected size, and its location less than one mile from an elementary school. - The resolved clause commends the City of Social Circle for defending its resources and local sovereignty against the facility. - The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Social Circle's mayor and city council. ## Status - Status: Introduced (2026-02-17) - Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2026-02-18) - Sponsors: Harold Jones, Kim Jackson, Elena Parent, Nan Orrock, Sonya Halpern, Nikki Merritt, Sally Harrell, Ed Harbison, Gail Davenport, Kenya Wicks, Nabilah Islam Parkes, Sheikh Rahman, Michael Rhett, Derek Mallow, Josh McLaurin - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73283 > The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr788.md?full=1