The Etowah County Detention Center will once again be a holding place for ICE detainees. The inspection that must take place before receiving detainees has been completed and the first group is expected to arrive March 3. There will be over 50 detainees held at one time.
The county will receive $45 per inmate per day, and ICE covers any medical or transportation fees involved and that includes the deputies pay. The individuals detained are expected to be in the ECDC for up to 72 hours before being transported elsewhere.
Etowah County has housed detainees awaiting proceedings or actual deportation from the U.S. for over two decades until 2022 when the partnership was ceased. The detention center will also house over 40 federal inmates for the U.S. Marshall Service at the same rate for ICE detainees.
