Immigrant detainees begin arriving at former prison in rural Tennessee town despite objections from residents

Immigrant detainees begin arriving at former prison in rural Tennessee town despite objections from residents Nation Sep 11, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Immigrant detainees have started arriving at a former Tennessee prison that’s been turned into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, the facility’s operator said.

CoreCivic Inc. said late Wednesday that it has begun receiving detainees at the West Tennessee Detention Facility in the rural town of Mason, located about 40 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Memphis.

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The arrivals come after Mason officials approved agreements with ICE and CoreCivic on Aug. 12, despite loud objections from upset residents and