The Dept. of Homeland Security will provide one-time payments for necessary infrastructure upgrades and a “majority of jobs” at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers planned in Schuylkill and Berks counties will be filled by local workers, according to US Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-9).
Meuser issued his first public statement on Thursday regarding the planned ICE facilities in Tremont and Upper Bern townships. Until this point, information from his office has been relayed through Schuylkill County Commissioners regarding the planned mega-detention center at the former Big Lots Distribution Center.
The federal government purchased the property in Schuylkill County on Jan. 29 for $119 million.
“Upon learning of the purchase of these facilities, my office has been actively engaged with DHS, while also holding multiple meetings with county commissioners, local elected officials, school district representatives, and community leaders to discuss their concerns,” Meuser says in a statement released Thursday.
Meuser says DHS made these commitments during a March 12 meeting.
With all the committments DHS has made, the Congressman – like the Schuylkill County Commissioners before him – says the agency needs to make it official by putting them in writing.
“While I appreciate the level of engagement we have had to date, I along with Schuylkill and Berks County officials have made it clear that these commitments must be formalized,” Meuser says. “My expectation is that these assurances will be put into a written agreement and we will continue working closely with DHS and our local elected officials throughout the process. My priorities remain clear: these facilities must operate safely and community concerns regarding local tax and economic impact, emergency services, public safety, infrastructure, and civic engagement must be addressed.”
DHS Makes Verbal Promises Regarding Proposed Detention Centers
The Congressman says DHS will issue one-time payments to upgrade communications systems, utilities, and make improvements to roadways to accommodate the planned detention centers. DHS has also committed to offsetting losses in property tax revenue experienced by Schuylkill County government, Tremont Township, and Pine Grove Area School District. In total, that could equal about $1 million.
Other committments from DHS, outside of money, address many of the concerns expressed locally since it was announced that ICE was planning to open one of its largest detention facilities in the country at the Tremont Township site.
In addition to the 7,500 potential detainees at the facility at any one time, Meuser’s office has said in the past that it could also employ between 2,000 and 2,500 people. That amount of people inside the facility has raised concerns about strains on local infrastructure, particularly water and sewage capabilities.
“DHS committed to prepare the required water treatment and safe drinking water plans in response to state and local input. DHS confirmed they are prepared to meet all anticipated utility demands including wastewater, potable water, electricity, trash, and recycling,” Meuser says.
Previously, Schuylkill County Municipal Authority has told DHS that its sewer system in the Tremont Township area is at capacity and it had been trucking in emergency freshwater supplies regularly just to serve the current population in the area.
In a letter to the state’s Dept. of Environmental Protection that orders a halt, essentially, on all activity at the Tremont Township facility until DHS acquires proper permits, the agency admitted that it had no plans in writing to address the water issue.
Meuser says DHS is also committed to “developing dedicated emergency response cabailities” by either private EMS contracts or in-house capacities. That will reduce the reliance on the already-strained emergency resources in the Tremont area, he says.
“As there will be increased demand for local 911 and EMS services, DHS agreed to review funding for these services and committed to address this,” Meuser says. “DHS confirmed final site plans address communication and radio coverage gaps, ensuring compatibility with county systems and use of bi-directional amplification where needed.”
Further, DHS has reportedly told Meuser that the federal government will be providing security at these faclities but is “committed to coordinating with local law enforcement.”
DHS also plans to establish a Community Relations Board with regard to the detention centers. That board will be made up, at least in part, with County and local goverment officials. It will meet regularly and provide opportunities for visits to the detention centers, Meuser says. It will also serve as a forum for receiving feedback on community concerns about the facilities.
“Local authorities will retain their standard life-safety and health inspections in accordance with existing requirements,” he adds.
FULL COVERAGE
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