Concerns Rise Over ICE’s Plan to Build Mega Immigration Detention Warehouses
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in the process of acquiring mega immigration detention facilities across the United States. These proposed centers are raising significant concerns among lawmakers, residents, and potential operators due to their scale and potential impact on local communities.
Overview of ICE’s Mega Immigration Detention Plans
The facilities under consideration could accommodate as many as 8,000 detainees. For comparison, the largest federal prison currently holds about 4,000 inmates. A DHS spreadsheet outlines over 20 possible locations, with at least three sites already secured.
Locations of New Facilities
So far, the following sites have been purchased by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):
- Surprise, Arizona: An industrial warehouse of 418,000 square feet was acquired for $70 million. Local officials reported they were unaware of this acquisition.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: A warehouse bought for $87.4 million last month is being considered for conversion into a detention center.
- San Antonio, Texas: A facility spanning almost 640,000 square feet, valued at over $37 million, has also been secured.
Growing Opposition to ICE Facilities
Concerns regarding these detention centers are widespread. Community groups in states including Colorado, Mississippi, and Arizona have opposed the plans. Local officials in Arizona fear that the establishment of these massive facilities signals an escalation in immigration enforcement.
Political Response and Community Action
Senator Roger Wicker from Mississippi expressed strong objections to a proposed facility in Byhalia, asserting that the area was meant for economic development, not massive detention. Meanwhile, demonstrations against the proposed ICE facility in Hutchins, Texas, were organized by the League of United Latin American Citizens, revealing community resistance.
Critics, including several Democratic lawmakers, have also voiced their concerns over proposed sites in places like Roxbury, New Jersey, and Hudson, Colorado. Advocates argue that these rural locations lack adequate public transportation, complicating access for lawyers and family members wishing to visit detainees.
ICE’s Statement on Facility Operations
In a statement, ICE conveyed that it has secured new funding aimed at expanding detention capacities. The agency underscores that these future centers will be “well-structured” and compliant with established detention standards.
According to an ICE spokesperson, each site will undergo community impact assessments to avoid straining local infrastructure. The intended goal is to enhance community safety by removing individuals identified as threats.
Contracting Process for New Facilities
To secure a contract with ICE, companies must already partner with the U.S. Navy or work in collaboration with those who do. This requirement echoes the protocol during the construction of the Trump administration’s most extensive detention center in Texas.
Concerns surrounding the safety and management of these warehouses remain significant. Experts warn that staffing large facilities may be problematic, particularly in rural areas, thus complicating the implementation of these plans.
