Dozens protest potential ICE detention facility in Cabarrus County
Dozens of people gathered in Concord on Sunday afternoon to push back against the federal government’s potential plan to make Cabarrus County one of its next sites for an immigration detention facility.
The protest, organized by Indivisible Cabarrus County, a progressive grassroots organization, came in response to a recent report from The New York Times which identified Cabarrus County as one of 21 places where the federal government has or is considering purchasing a warehouse to convert into an immigration detention facility.
According to the report, this push to expand the amount of detention beds will help the Department of Homeland Security arrest, detain and deport more people. The report, which cites property records and Department of Homeland Security documents, estimates the Concord facility would have 1,500 beds.
Protestors gathered at the intersection of Weddington Road and Belt Road in cold, wind and rain near the proposed detention facility site with colorful homemade signs and belting a chorus of chants such as “No more ICE!” Motorists going by honked their horns in support.
In a Friday social media post, the city of Concord said while it was aware of rumors that Immigration and Customs Enforcement may be looking to place a detention facility in Concord or Cabarrus County, the city has “not been contacted and is not aware of any plans” by the agency.
Concord Mayor Steve Morris told The Charlotte Observer on Friday that he “was not aware of anything at all” until he started getting questions about the Times’ article.
Phil Henry, an activist and member of Indivisible Cabarrus County, said he’s giving the city the benefit of the doubt but wants the protest to give local government officials a clear understanding of where the community stands.
“We don’t want ICE anywhere near us, he said.
Kelly Kivi and her wife, Jennifer, said they weren’t totally surprised to hear that an ICE facility may possibly open in their community. But as an ordained pastor, Kivi said her purpose is to stand up for those who don’t have a voice and show people what Jesus’ love truly looks like.
“This is not who Jesus is. This is not what the church represents,” she said gesturing to the proposed facility site behind her. “Jesus welcomes everybody.”
The federal government’s possible plan for an immigration detention center in Cabarrus County comes after a major immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte last fall.
“Operation Charlotte’s Web,” led by former U.S. Border Patrol commander at-large Greg Bovino, resulted in the arrest of several hundred people, according to the federal government. The agency’s presence put the Charlotte immigrant community on edge — clearing out vibrant areas like Central Avenue in East Charlotte, and prompting businesses to close and students to stay home from school.
Chris Ikana, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, held a “No more human trafficking” sign on Sunday. As a person who’s gone through the laborious process of becoming a U.S. citizen, he said he’s seen the challenges up close. He came to show others like him that they aren’t alone.
“I’ve seen the rhetoric being used,” he said. “I understand just as much as anybody the amount of fear and uncertainty of not knowing whether or not you’re going to get deported.”
People in other communities across the country, including Roxbury, New Jersey, Wilson County, Tennessee, and Social Circle, Georgia, are also pushing back against possible plans for ICE detention facilities.
This story was originally published February 22, 2026 at 1:57 PM.