The Trump administration is moving to convert 22 industrial warehouses into detention centers that could hold up to 80,000 migrants slated for deportation. According to The Washington Post, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking contractors to renovate at least 22 warehouse facilities for detention use, citing draft documents released on Wednesday.
Warehouse Conversion Plan
ICE’s draft plan outlines the creation of seven large-scale holding centers in renovated industrial warehouses located in key cities. Each of the two Texas facilities would accommodate between 5,000 and 10,000 people, while the remaining five would hold a similar range. The plan also calls for fifteen smaller-scale centers that would serve as quick-processing facilities, each holding 500 to 1,500 migrants before they are moved to the larger warehouses.
Large-Scale Centers
The draft documents list the following locations for the large-scale facilities:
- Stafford, Virginia
- Hutchins, Texas
- Hammond, Louisiana
- Baytown, Texas
- Glendale, Arizona
- Social Circle, Georgia
- Kansas City, Missouri
These sites are intended to become the primary detention hubs, each designed to accommodate thousands of migrants.
Small-Scale Processing Sites
The fifteen processing sites, slated to hold migrants for a few weeks before transfer, are proposed for the following locations:
- Los Fresnos, Texas
- El Paso, Texas
- Hagerstown, Maryland
- Highland Park, Michigan
- Jefferson, Georgia
- Jupiter, Florida
- Merrillville, Indiana
- Merrimack, New Hampshire
- Oklahoma City
- Port Allen, Louisiana
- Roxbury, New Jersey
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- Tremont, Pennsylvania
- Woodbury, Minnesota
These smaller facilities would provide rapid processing and temporary holding.
Current Detention Numbers and Funding
ICE currently holds 72,110 migrants in facilities across the country, according to the latest data on its website. This figure includes 70,190 adults in detention, of whom more than 63,700 were detained within the past 180 days and 77 have been held for over 730 days. The department received a $45 billion allocation for detentions under the Big Beautiful Bill, signed by President Trump on July 4, and much of that money is earmarked for expanding bed capacity.
Comparison to the Previous Administration
The 72,110 detainees represent the highest number ever held in ICE detention facilities. By contrast, the Biden administration held fewer than 20,000 migrants in detention in January 2023. The dramatic increase underscores the shift in enforcement strategy under the current administration.
Recent Arrests
Arrests in December alone have exceeded 44,000, according to reports. These figures reflect the intensified enforcement efforts that the administration has pursued.
Statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
In a recent statement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “In less than a year, President Trump has delivered some of the most historic and consequential achievements in presidential history – and this Administration is just getting started.” Noem also noted that over 622,000 migrants have been deported since Trump took office for his second term, and that 1.9 million people have self-deported.
Self-Deportation Incentives
The Department of Homeland Security is offering a stipend of $3,000 plus travel expenses to anyone who self-deports, an increase from the previous $1,000 offer. This limited program is available through the end of the year. Migrants can declare their intent to self-deport and sign up for the funds through the CBP Home app.
Key Takeaways
- ICE plans to convert 22 warehouses into detention centers that could hold up to 80,000 migrants.
- The largest facilities will accommodate 5,000 to 10,000 people each, while smaller sites will process 500 to 1,500 migrants.
- Current detention totals stand at 72,110, the highest in U.S. history, funded by a $45 billion allocation.
The Trump administration’s warehouse conversion strategy marks a significant escalation in its approach to migrant detention and deportation, reflecting a broader shift toward increased enforcement and the use of temporary facilities to manage the growing number of individuals in the immigration system.
