(The Center Square) – Two proposed ICE detention centers will not move forward in Berks and Schuylkill counties, Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed on Wednesday.
“From the beginning, I’ve been clear that these warehouses should not be used as ICE detention centers because they are not suitable for people and converting them to detention centers would have posed serious risks to the health, safety, and infrastructure of the surrounding communities,” said Shapiro. “My Administration stood with local leaders and residents, enforced Pennsylvania law, and worked across agencies to protect people from being held in these warehouses and to protect the surrounding communities.”
Shapiro’s announcement on Wednesday followed the news that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, DHS, withdrew its appeal of the governor’s administration orders that forbid the federal agency from using the water or sewer infrastructure needed to convert those warehouses into immigration detention centers.
On July 13, DHS provided written confirmation to Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection, DEP, that ICE “will not be using [either] Property as a detention center.”
The Shapiro administration added that DEP will “continue closely monitoring these facilities to ensure DHS follows through on its stated intention.”
The two facilities, located in Tremont Township and Upper Bern Township, were purchased by DHS in February. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s office said the proposal from the agency would have converted the facilities into 7,500 and 1,500-bed detention centers, respectively.
Shapiro, an outspoken critic of the proposals since they were announced earlier this year, met with local officials in February and said that he would “do everything in his legal and regulatory power” to keep the facilities out of the commonwealth.
“We have put the federal government on notice that it is going to be very hard, if not possible, for them to go ahead and build these detention centers in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said during an interview on WURD in late April. “They need permits and other approvals from my administration, and we made very clear where we stand on that. I do not want these detention centers in Pennsylvania, and I will not allow this cruelty to take root here.”
On June 18, the New York Times reported that ICE was planning to offload seven warehouses that were purchased by DHS by either giving them to other federal agencies or selling them outright. This included two warehouses in Pennsylvania, which were slated to become ICE detention centers.
Fetterman issued a statement on June 22 confirming that development.
“I’m pleased to confirm ICE will not be moving forward with detention facilities in Tremont and Upper Bern Townships,” Fetterman wrote. “I appreciate that Secretary Mullin recognized the negative impacts these facilities would have in Pennsylvania—including the direct threat to local economies and infrastructure—and cancelled these plans.”
“I will continue to work toward solutions with the administration and my Senate colleagues that properly address the broken immigration system while ensuring that our communities and law-abiding migrants are safe and protected,” he added.
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, an ally of President Donald Trump and his immigration policies, released a statement confirming that the centers, both proposed in his district, would not move forward.
“The Administration’s plans evolved based on operational needs and, in large part, the extensive due diligence conducted by county and local officials, working alongside my office to ensure the best possible outcome for the community,” Meuser said in late June. “The careful review of the proposed sites and engagement with DHS played an important role throughout this process. My office will provide an update upon learning of the definitive future plans for the sites.”
