Local residents and immigrant activists gathered to discuss a proposed plan to place one of the nation's largest immigration detention facilities in the upscale, rural enclave of Southwest Ranches.
A meeting was held Thursday night in the Broward County town to address the concerns of residents who were unaware of plans for the 2,000-bed facility until they read the about it in the newspaper.
The detention center will be built and run by Corrections Corporation of America, the largest private prison company in the nation. CCA signed a contract with Southwest Ranches in 2005 to bring a private prison to the area, which borders the Everglades.
The town will get a percentage of the money CCA receives from the Department of Homeland Security for every bed filled.
