WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following reports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cancelled its plans to repurpose warehouse facilities in Tremont and Upper Bern Townships into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) today released the following statement:
“I’m pleased to confirm ICE will not be moving forward with detention facilities in Tremont and Upper Bern Townships.
“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.”
Background
The proposed conversion of the facilities in Tremont Township and Upper Bern Township included transforming warehouses into 7,500- and 1,500-bed detention centers, respectively. Both townships do not have the capacity to meet the demands of these detention centers. Tremont Township officials stated the proposed 7,500-bed detention facility would quadruple the existing burden on their public infrastructure system.
Senator Fetterman expressed his opposition to the proposed ICE detention centers in a February letter to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and a subsequent April letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and urged them to consider the negative repercussions. Additionally, Senator Fetterman highlighted that the acquisition of these facilities could have resulted in a combined loss of nearly $2 million in local tax revenue per year for Schuylkill and Berks counties. He pointed to the lack of adequate access to existing water and sewage systems, an increased demand on local electrical grids, the capacity of local law enforcement and EMS, and proximity to appropriate medical facilities.
Senator Fetterman is a staunch advocate for a safe and strong immigration system, including prioritizing the deportation of criminal migrants rather than targeting law-abiding migrants who contribute significantly to Pennsylvania’s communities and economy.
