Concerns About Immigration Detention Centers Rise
WASHINGTON – A former chief immigration officer from the Biden administration expressed serious concerns on Tuesday about the rapid detention and deportation of immigrants, citing new immigration enforcement laws enacted earlier this month.
During a virtual press conference with the American Voice advocacy group, the former Homeland Security official suggested a trend toward establishing temporary “soft” detention centers, similar to Florida’s “Wannial Catraz,” referring to the Everglades Detention Center.
Funding for these initiatives reportedly stems from tax cuts and spending reduction bills from the Trump administration, with around $170 billion earmarked for immigration enforcement, according to the former official.
The expansive tax and spending cuts are said to allocate $30 billion for immigration and customs enforcement, adding 10,000 new agents, which would make it the most well-funded law enforcement agency focused on deportations in the country. Furthermore, an estimated $45 billion is expected for immigrant detention, alongside $450 million in grants for states involved in border enforcement.
Substantial funding has also been directed toward enhancing border security and involving military resources in enforcement operations.
Safety of Immigrants in Jeopardy
Jason Hauser, who served as chief at ICE during Biden’s term, has raised alarms about the safety conditions likely to arise at the new detention centers. He pointed out the lack of training and experience among staff managing these facilities poses significant risks to immigrants.
“People are going to get hurt,” he stated. “They’ll die.”
Hauser also noted that the quotas assigned to immigration officers could lead to roughly 3,000 arrests daily, predominantly targeting immigrants who are compliant and checking in.
“Hit quotas are not in national security interests,” he added, emphasizing the potential issues with swift arrests and detentions leading to state-run “softside” facilities in rural areas lacking necessary resources.
Flores, formerly overseeing national security border control under Biden, mentioned that if states like Florida set up their own detention centers, the Department of Homeland Security could struggle with adequate surveillance of these operations.
Currently, Flores serves as Vice President of Immigration Policy at FWD.US, concentrating on immigration policies and reform.
Increase in Deportations with Third Country Removals
Lois Murray, a past DHS Border and Immigration Policy Secretary, raised concerns that the Trump administration could escalate third-country removals, especially as funding increases.
“Removal to a third country must occur in a safe environment,” she remarked.
If deportees from the U.S. face rejection from their home countries, the government typically seeks another country willing to accept them. The Trump administration reportedly pursued agreements with nations like Mexico and South Sudan for such removals despite ongoing violence in those areas. The State Department has cautioned against travel to South Sudan, yet the administration attempted to utilize legal avenues for deportations there.
Murray indicated that the removal process has led to a fearful environment for immigrants, pushing them towards self-declaration.
“If a third country is involved, it also needs to be a place where individuals can successfully reintegrate,” she concluded.
