Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmaker sounds alarm over proposed ICE processing center in Oklahoma City

Published

1 month ago

January 20, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY –

An Oklahoma warehouse in southwest Oklahoma City may soon be converted into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center, part of a larger federal plan to detain thousands of immigrants across the country.

State Sen. Cari Hicks says Oklahoma City facility could strain resources and impact nearby neighborhoods, schools.

January 19, 2026 01:44 PM

3 min read

ICE Targets 16 Cities Nationwide

Oklahoma City is reportedly one of 16 cities under consideration by ICE for processing and detention sites. The plan, first reported by The Washington Post, would convert warehouses into one large detention center and 16 smaller processing facilities to speed up deportations.

State Senator Raises Concerns About Lack of Transparency

State Senator Carri Hicks (D–Oklahoma City) says she recently learned about the plan and is alarmed by the lack of transparency at both the local and state levels.

“This is not a rumor. It is a developed plan and it’s being executed,” she said. “And there has been no transparency and no accountability either at the local level, municipal level or the state level. And I think that should concern every Oklahoman.”

Proposed Site Near Residential Neighborhood

A letter from the Department of Homeland Security to the city’s planning commission reportedly outlines plans to convert a more than 400,000 square foot warehouse at 2800 South Council into a 1,500-bed ICE processing center.

The site is less than two miles from Western Heights Public School, raising concerns among residents and lawmakers.

Community Impact: Fear and Safety Concerns

Senator Hicks says the proposed facility could create fear and anxiety among families in the nearby community.

“It brings a lot of fear to the students and to the families… because we’ve seen bold actions that are profiling folks based on their skin color.” She also warns that a processing center could strain local resources such as public safety.

What Would the Facility Include?

If approved, the building would be redesigned to include:

Detention Space
Offices
Restrooms
Cafeteria
Medical space
Visitor areas

Lawmaker Calls for Public Action

Senator Hicks has taken to TikTok and public forums to encourage citizens to speak out and contact lawmakers.

“We need to continue to put people over politics and tell Washington that this unilateral decision will not be tolerated in our community.”

Other ICE Facilities in Oklahoma

Oklahoma already has existing or planned ICE facilities in:

Newkirk
Cushing
Watonga
Guthrie
Tulsa

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon

Published

5 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

YUKON, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma City Police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon Monday night.

The shooting happened near Northwest 10th Street and South Yukon Parkway near the border of Yukon and Oklahoma City.

Police are on the scene, and officials said the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the hip.

OKCPD said they have at least one person in custody.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property

Published

17 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property

As consumer electricity needs grow, lawmakers are discussing strategies to ease the burden on landowners who don’t want the towers and wires carrying that energy on their property.

As it’s written now, the bill would require transmission owners to pay landowners $2 per foot of line annually. During the committee meeting, Murdock said he introduced the legislation to “start a conversation.”

“ This is an idea of, maybe moving forward, if the landowners are getting a royalty off of the power being pushed across their property, it may make it a little more palatable for someone to have a transmission line go across their property,” he said.

Landowners can enter into easement agreements with companies to set aside portions of their land for the builds. But in some cases, eminent domain is used to obtain a right-of-way.

“ I’m not saying that this is going to do away with eminent domain,” Murdock said. “What I’m hoping is this just makes it a little more palatable.”

Murdock said he spoke with utility companies about the legislation, though he didn’t name them. The bill’s language could change after creating an alternative rate based on conversations with the companies, he said.

Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, said the bill could raise utility rates for consumers living in Oklahoma’s most populous counties if companies charge more to make up for the annual fee.

Murdock pushed back, noting the lines are necessary to deliver electricity to other counties.

“You understand that you flip that light on because — and have that ability to have electricity because — the people in my district have a transmission line that goes across them, getting you that power,” he said.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: Mar. 1, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: Mar. 1, 2026

Big night in downtown OKC as the Oklahoma City Thunder welcome the Denver Nugget and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is back on the floor.

Steve McGehee reports live from Paycom Center with the latest on SGA’s return after missing nine games, the Thunder’s push to hold the top spot in the Western Conference, and what getting healthy means for OKC’s title hopes.

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