DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse purchases as all Noem-era contracts are reviewed
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pausing the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants while reviewing all contracts signed under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
- New DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, sworn in last week, is scrutinizing previously made warehouse purchases amid controversy over the department's detention expansion plans.
- The $38.3 billion plan to increase detention capacity to 92,000 beds includes acquiring large-scale detention centers and smaller regional processing sites, but has faced strong local opposition and legal challenges.
- Eleven warehouses have been purchased across eight states for over $1 billion, but some facilities have had their capacity reduced and lawsuits are pending in multiple states.
- Mullin emphasized the need to work with community leaders and address infrastructure concerns, such as water and sewer capacity, as part of his approach to managing immigration detention facilities.
