News on ICE Warehouses

Apr 15: In Maryland, a judge issued a bench ruling requiring an environmental review and forbidding the federal government from moving forward with construction on the Williamsport warehouse.

Apr 15: The mayor of Surprise, AZ Kevin Sartor is quoted in the press saying that taking legal action against the warehouse in his community would be a waste of resources.  

Apr 16: Todd Lyons (acting ICE Director) resigned after testifying before Congress. His resignation is effective on 31 May.  

Apr 17: The Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Green Amendments For The Generations have requested standing in an appeal of the administrative orders issued through the PA Department of Environmental Protection which blocked DHS access to water and sewers at both ICE warehouse locations. The environmental groups are seeking to provide legal arguments and evidence in the ongoing case.

Apr 17: A Stateline article reported specific adjustments on two warehouse locations. The Surprise AZ ICE warehouse was reported to now be scaled to house 542 detainees (previously 1500), with a start date of October (previously May). DHS has reportedly agreed to pay $300,000 in lost property tax as well. In Maryland, the warehouse has also been scaled back to 542 at the Williamsport location.

Apr 18: A website called No Concentration Camps-US that was frequently confused with ours has now been removed from the Internet. A website developer had created the site to showcase his abilities however there was never an organization behind the site. Even 50501 was fooled by this and promoted it during their recent national ICE warehouses call. After some discussion, the site owner graciously agreed to take the site down and has offered NoCCUS.org help with our work going forward.

Apr 19: In Maryland, it has been revealed that the Washington County Board of County Commissioners signed an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) in early December tied to a land deal. Although the project which is covered by the NDA has not yet been identified, it is suspicious for the timeline of the purchase of the Williamsport ICE warehouse.