SR788: SR788 City of Social Circle; recognize

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a statement from the Senate praising the City of Social Circle for objecting to a federal plan to build a large immigration detention facility there. The resolution's preamble describes the facility as potentially tripling the city's population, straining its water, sewer, and law enforcement resources, and sitting less than a mile from an elementary school. The resolution then formally commends the city for defending its citizens and local sovereignty against what it calls federal overreach, and it draws a comparison to Walton County's namesake, George Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Mayor and City Council of Social Circle.

• Commends the City of Social Circle for opposing a proposed federal detainment facility planned for the city.
• States the Senate's view that the facility would strain the city's water, sewer, law enforcement, and other public resources.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Social Circle's Mayor and City Council.
• Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute, since it is a commendatory resolution rather than a bill.

The resolution directly names the City of Social Circle, its Mayor and City Council, and residents of Walton County. It references the current federal administration's detention facility plans but does not impose any legal obligation on any party.

Because this is a commendatory resolution, it carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It does not stop the detention facility, change zoning, or provide funding, but it places the Georgia Senate on record supporting the city's opposition to the project.

• The preamble (whereas clauses) describes the proposed detention facility, its expected size, and its proximity to an elementary school.
• The resolved clause commends the City of Social Circle for defending its citizens, resources, and local sovereignty against federal action.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to Social Circle's Mayor and City Council.
• The resolution contains no funding, penalties, deadlines, or changes to O.C.G.A. sections.

1. 2026-02-18Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-17Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)Primary sponsor
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)

• immigration detention facility
• Social Circle
• Walton County
• federal government relations
• local sovereignty