A sweeping plan is underway to dramatically reshape America’s immigration detention system, envisioning a network of massive warehouses capable of holding over 80,000 detainees simultaneously. This isn’t a gradual adjustment; it’s a fundamental overhaul, shifting from a dispersed system to centralized holding facilities on an unprecedented scale.
The core idea, outlined in a draft solicitation, is speed. Instead of a nationwide shuffle of detainees, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement aims to create a streamlined “feeder system.” Newly arrested individuals would be quickly processed and then channeled into one of several sprawling warehouses, strategically positioned near major transportation hubs, awaiting deportation.
These aren’t small operations. The plan calls for seven warehouses holding between 5,000 and 10,000 people each, supplemented by sixteen smaller facilities accommodating up to 1,500. Locations under consideration span Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia, and Missouri – states poised to become central to this new detention landscape.
The administration’s ambition extends beyond mere containment. The solicitation details plans to transform these industrial spaces into functional detention centers, complete with intake areas, housing, kitchens, medical units, recreation spaces, and even law libraries. Some facilities are slated to include dedicated housing for families.
The impetus behind this massive undertaking is a desire for efficiency, mirroring the logistical precision of a commercial giant. One ICE official reportedly likened the goal to Amazon Prime – swift, reliable, and focused on rapid delivery, but in this case, delivering individuals for deportation. The language used frames detention not as a humanitarian issue, but as a logistical challenge to be optimized.
However, experts in commercial real estate raise serious concerns. Warehouses are designed for storage, not habitation. They often lack adequate ventilation, precise temperature control, and the essential plumbing and sanitation infrastructure needed to support a large, permanent population. The fundamental design clashes with the needs of human beings.
Advocates are already condemning the plan as deeply dehumanizing, comparing it to treating people as livestock. The sheer scale and impersonal nature of these facilities raise profound ethical questions about the treatment of those caught in the immigration system. The focus on “efficiency” risks eclipsing basic human dignity.
The project is already facing resistance. A $30 million contract awarded for initial design work sparked outrage within the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, who discovered a business connected to their tribe had pursued the contract against their wishes. The tribe has since withdrawn from the agreement, prioritizing its values over economic gain.
Currently, ICE holds over 68,000 people, a record high. Alarmingly, nearly half of these detainees have no criminal convictions or pending charges. This raises questions about the justification for such extensive detention and the potential for detaining individuals who pose no public safety threat.
The plan builds on existing efforts to expand detention capacity, including the revival of dormant prisons, the repurposing of military bases, and the construction of tent encampments. Over 579,000 people have been deported this year alone, a testament to the administration’s aggressive enforcement policies.
Staffing these massive facilities presents a significant hurdle. Personnel will require specialized training, medical expertise, and rigorous federal security clearances. Recent inspections of a new facility at Fort Bliss revealed a critical shortage of security staff, highlighting the challenges of maintaining safe and secure operations.
The proposed Stafford, Virginia warehouse, capable of holding 10,000 detainees, would be the largest. Similar facilities are planned near Dallas and Baton Rouge. While the majority of proposed locations are in politically conservative areas, facilities are also planned for cities with Democrat-led governments, underscoring the broad geographic scope of the initiative.
Local officials are already voicing concerns about the potential impact on infrastructure, public safety, and social services. The federal government’s immigration policies, they argue, have very real and tangible consequences for communities on the ground.
