The Department of Homeland Security is reversing a controversial plan to use newly acquired “mega-warehouses” as migrant detention facilities, according to reports from Bloomberg and Reason. The shift comes as DHS moves away from converting empty warehouses into immigration detention centers and instead continues relying largely on existing jail capacity. That includes detention facilities operated by private contractors as well as facilities run in partnership with state and local governments.
Bloomberg reports that DHS will “keep relying” on existing detention sites rather than expanding warehouse-based housing. Reason adds that DHS is planning to sell or offload seven warehouses that it had originally purchased for the program. The reports describe the change as an abandonment or scaling back of the warehouse approach rather than a broader restructuring of immigration detention overall.
Across both outlets, the core point is that DHS is stepping back from the warehouse plan and will continue detaining migrants through existing arrangements, including contracted and local/state-run facilities.
