The GEO Group, Inc. today filed an appeal with the City of McFarland requesting a new hearing with the City Council after denying plans by the private prison company to convert two of the city’s correctional facilities for use as federal immigration detention centers.

In a letter to the City Council from the law firm of Gresham Savage, Nolan & Tilden on behalf of the GEO Group, the appeal requests a new hearing and new vote with all five City Council members to be present on the proposed GEO Group facility modifications. This appeal comes following the Feb. 18th meeting by the McFarland Planning Commission who voted 2-2 against the GEO Group’s plans.

During the Feb. 18th meeting a mix of residents, protestors and supporters clashed outside the meeting before it was announced the split vote would halt those plans, giving GEO Corp. 15 days to appeal the decision.

The McFarland City Council has yet to issue a public response to the appeal. 

This is a developing story.