The small town of Social Circle, Georgia, is taking a stand against a massive federal project that could fundamentally change the face of its community. In filing a federal lawsuit to block the construction of a sprawling ICE detention center, local officials are now employing a sophisticated legal strategy that could influence how similar projects are handled across the country.
This legal battle is being closely watched by experts, according to The Guardian. While many previous lawsuits against these types of facilities have relied solely on the National Environmental Policy Act to argue that the government failed to conduct proper environmental assessments, Social Circle is casting a wider net. The town’s complaint argues that Department of Homeland Security and ICE have violated the federal Administrative Procedures Act.
