Braddock, Pa. — In a letter released today by his office, Democratic Senator John Fetterman expresses “deep concern and opposition” to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) intention to purchase and convert two warehouse facilities in Schuylkill and Berks Counties into ICE detention centers.
The letter, written to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, reads in part:
“While I have been clear in my support for the enforcement of federal immigration law, this decision will do significant damage to these local tax bases, set back decades-long efforts to boost economic development, and place undue burdens on limited existing infrastructure in these communities,” wrote Senator Fetterman.
The proposed conversion of the facilities in Tremont Township and Upper Bern Township, comes with no input from local or state officials. The plan includes transforming them into 7,500- and 1,500-bed detention centers, respectively.
Township officials have said they do not currently have the capacity to meet the demands of these detention centers, with Tremont Township officials specifically stating the proposed 7,500-bed detention facility would quadruple the existing burden on their public infrastructure system.
Fetterman’s letter also details the revenue that would be lost should the plans proceed saying, “Additionally, the acquisition of these facilities by the federal government represents a combined loss of over $1.6M in local tax revenue per year for Schuylkill and Berks counties. This loss of vital tax dollars compounds concerns over the ability of these municipalities to meet the infrastructure needs of these facilities and would place undue strain upon the budgets of local governments and school districts in the region”.
The letter also asks DHS and ICE to provide additional information about the criteria used to select viable properties for conversion into ICE detention centers, including specific details on the decision to purchase the Tremont and Upper Bern Twp. Properties. The information requested includes a detailed impact assessment addressing infrastructure, public safety, public health, economic development, and fiscal concerns for these communities.
Fetterman also asks for a commitment that federal funds will cover all necessary infrastructure upgrades and ongoing costs associated with these facilities, and a commitment to a period of public engagement and dialogue with these communities.
The letter closes with Fetterman saying that the lack of due diligence by DHS and ICE has resulted in spending more than $200 million in tax dollars for warehouses that cannot be adequately converted and further eroding trust between Pennsylvanians and the Federal government.
The full text of the letter can be found below.
Dear Secretary Noem:
I am writing to express my deep concern and opposition to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) intention to convert two recently purchased warehouse facilities, in Schuylkill and Berks counties, into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers. While I have been clear in my support for the enforcement of federal immigration law, this decision will do significant damage to these local tax bases, set back decades-long efforts to boost economic development, and place undue burdens on limited existing infrastructure in these communities.
The proposed conversion of these facilities into 7,500- and 1,500-bed detention centers in Tremont Township and Upper Bern Township, respectively, raises a variety of concerns. These facilities were purchased with no input from local or state officials, leaving these communities scrambling to understand why DHS and ICE selected them for large-scale detention operations.
Detention facilities impose unique and substantial demands on infrastructure both in the communities in which they are placed and in neighboring communities. I am concerned that DHS acquired these properties without taking into consideration any of the following:
Adequate access to existing water and sewage systems, or the ability to expand existing systems, particularly at the Tremont Twp. facility;
An increased demand on local electrical grids;
Local law enforcement and EMS capacity; and
Proximity to appropriate medical facilities.
Neither Tremont Twp. nor Upper Bern Twp. currently have the capacity to meet these demands. In the case of Tremont Twp. specifically, local officials have said that the proposed 7,500-bed detention facility would quadruple the existing burden on their public infrastructure system. To date, ICE has provided these communities with no information on how it will meet these expansive needs, and it would be wildly irresponsible to place such a burden on these communities.
Additionally, the acquisition of these facilities by the federal government represents a combined loss of over $1.6M in local tax revenue per year for Schuylkill and Berks counties. This loss of vital tax dollars compounds concerns over the ability of these municipalities to meet the infrastructure needs of these facilities and would place undue strain upon the budgets of local governments and school districts in the region.
My constituents are concerned that DHS and ICE made the decision to purchase these facilities without any local input yet expect the residents of these communities to shoulder the infrastructure, public safety, sanitation, and economic burdens imposed on them. Frankly, these are concerns that I share.
To that end, I request that DHS and ICE provide the following before moving forward with either project:
A briefing for my office on the criteria used to select viable properties for conversion into ICE detention centers, including specific details on the decision to purchase the Tremont and Upper Bern Twp. properties;
A detailed impact assessment addressing infrastructure, public safety, public health, economic development, and fiscal concerns for these communities;
A commitment that federal funds will cover all necessary infrastructure upgrades and ongoing costs associated with these facilities; and
A commitment to a period of public engagement and dialogue with these communities.
Due to these significant concerns, it is my fear that DHS and ICE did not perform any due diligence, spending more than $200 million in tax dollars for warehouses that cannot be adequately converted and further eroding trust between Pennsylvanians and the Federal government.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Can the Pa. government block ICE’s plans? How many people will be detained there? Here’s what we know.
Commissioners say they learned about the deal only after it was finalized.
Schuylkill County Commissioners have confirmed a 7,500-bed ICE detention facility is coming to Tremont Township.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Get Our Free Newsletters
Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters.
Sign Up Today!
Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter?
Afternoon Update: What’s happening today? Here’s your update!
Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox.
Keep your news local
Access to independent, local news is important, do you agree?
We work hard to deliver timely, relevant news, for free. 100% of your contribution to NorthcentralPa.com goes directly to helping us cover news and events in the region.
Thank you for saying that local news matters!