Potential Expansion of ICE Detention Centers in Minnesota

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz may soon see his state become part of ICE’s expanding network of detention centers. This development follows the reopening of large facilities in places like Florida, New Jersey, and Texas.

Some private prisons that were shut down over a decade ago could be repurposed, especially with the new laws effective in 2024 that restrict private prisons. Documents indicate that the Grassland Correctional Facility in Appleton, close to the South Dakota border, is under consideration.

City officials in Appleton have stated that there isn’t any current communication with ICE. However, the previous owner of the facility, who operated it until 2010, is actively seeking a federal contract.

In related news, Boston officials, particularly Woo, have expressed their concerns regarding the administration’s immigration policies, hinting at the need for a “sanctuary” approach.

State laws might not adequately address the federal use of civil prison facilities, which complicates matters. Fox News Digital reached out to Governor Walz, noted for his opposition to President Trump’s immigration strategies during the 2024 campaign, but he did not respond by the deadline.

Beyond Minnesota, other locations are being eyed, such as the Wannial Catraz facility in Florida. This comes amid ongoing discussions about expanding detention capacity, including one Texas facility, the Reeves County Detention Center, which can hold 3,700 detainees.

Reports from Texas also mention a facility called “Brownsville Family,” located near the border, with room for 3,500 individuals. The federal government has recently reopened Fort Bliss in El Paso for immigration-related detentions, leading to backlash from local ACLU chapters. Critics have drawn parallels between this situation and the historical internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

California, particularly outside Bakersfield, has plans for housing ICE detainees in yet another former private prison. CoreCivic, the same contractor linked to Walz’s prisons in Minnesota, is involved in plans to revive a facility that could accommodate 2,560 people. Although Governor Gavin Newsom had previously opposed private prisons, a legal ruling has complicated those efforts.

The report highlights that the largest ICE detention center in the northeastern U.S. is located in Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania. In addition, another private contract facility, the Moshannon Valley Processing Centre, has capacity for about 1,800 individuals.

In summary, Texas, Louisiana, and California are among the top states for immigration detention, with at least 19 states expected to have operational facilities by the new year as discussions around ICE and detention centers continue to evolve.