Local authorities in Tennessee greenlight plan to revive shuttered detention center as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility
The West Tennessee Detention Facility (WTDF) in Mason, Tennessee, has been approved for reopening as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention site. This decision was made in a special meeting by the Mason mayor and board of aldermen on August 12, 2025 [1][2][4].
The 600-bed facility, owned by private prison operator CoreCivic, was closed in 2021 under the Biden administration [6]. CoreCivic aims to meet the needs of ICE at the WTDF, with the intention of operating the facility under a new agreement [5]. However, the exact timeline for when the facility will become operational again remains unspecified [2][4].
CoreCivic, with a history of operation in America's immigration system spanning over 40 years, has been tasked with the responsibility of caring for individuals in its facilities respectfully and humanely while they receive legal due process [7]. The reopening of the WTDF is expected to create nearly 240 new jobs for local residents and potential newcomers [8].
The starting salary for detention officers at WTDF is $26.50 per hour [3]. CoreCivic offers competitive benefits for its staff, including medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, a matching 401(k), paid leave, health advocacy services, financial wellness services, an employee assistance program, and a tuition assistance scholarship fund [9].
It is worth noting that CoreCivic does not enforce immigration laws, arrest individuals, or have any say in an individual's deportation or release [10][11]. Furthermore, CoreCivic does not advocate for or against any legislation that determines the duration of an individual's detention [12].
The reopening of the WTDF could bring significant economic benefits to the local community. If reopened, the facility is estimated to generate approximately $325,000 in annual property taxes [13]. Additionally, the facility would contribute an annual impact fee to the City of Mason exceeding $200,000, which could be used for local schools, infrastructure improvements, and other projects [2].
For more detailed information, interested parties are advised to contact the ICE Public Affairs Office [14]. As the reopening date is yet to be announced, residents of Mason express mixed opinions about the reopening [3].
References:
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- The reopening of the West Tennessee Detention Facility (WTDF) raises questions about policy-and-legislation, as the decision is made in the politics of migration and detention, with CoreCivic seeking to operate the facility under a new agreement with ICE.
- The reopening of WTDF is expected to create 240 new jobs in the community and potentially generate substantial economic benefits, including property taxes and annual impact fees, but public opinions about the reopening remain mixed.
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