The Tremont Township ICE detention center at the former Big Lots Distribution Center is part of the agency’s Detention Reengineering Initiative, according to documents acquired by Coal Region Canary.
And before selecting the sites it chose for that initiative, the agency says it did its “due diligence” when assessing its impact on local infrastructure, which has been one of the major concerns among Schuylkill County officials.
Detention Reengineering Initiative
The proposed 7,500-bed detention center is one of eight large-scale facilities that ICE is acquiring with plans to renovate into a long-term detention center. That Reengineering Initiative also calls for the acquisition of 16 smaller sites to be used as processing centers, like the one in Upper Bern Township, in Berks County, and 10 other turnkey locations where ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations are already in place.
This initiative is all part of a $38.3 billion spending spree, with money coming from the One Big Beautiful Bill. ICE says using facilities like the ones proposed in Schuylkill and Berks counties lessens the reliance on contracted detention facilities across the country.
It also increases the number of beds and streamlines deportations, ICE says. Under the Detention Reengineering Initiative, ICE says it will have a total of 92,600 beds for detainees
ICE wants to have the Detention Reengineering Initiative fully operational by the end of Fiscal Year 2026, which is the end of September. All detention facilities will be activated by Nov. 30, according to the ICE memo.
These facilities will ensure the safe and humane civil detention of aliens in ICE custody, while helping ICE effectuate mass deportations. The facilities will also incorporate a standardized layout and new features for both illegal alien detainees and the ICE/contractor staff that work at these sites,” ICE says. “Facilities will be built to handle the immediate surge capacity and sustained longterm operations, providing a unified, scalable solution that delivers continuity, safety, compliance, and control – built to scale, and committed to supporting our mission.”
ICE Detention Plans Address Local Infrastructure Concerns
One of the primary concerns of the ICE detention center planned for Tremont Township is the infrastructure in and around the former Big Lots detention center.
Schuylkill County officials say there is no more available public water and the sewage system is also at capacity.
Before selecting facilities that would be part of the new detention initiative, ICE says it performed an engineering review of the existing utilities and facility infrastructure.
“ICE conducted a thorough due diligence process prior to purchasing each facility. The due diligence review included thorough site inspections, analysis of utility services, and testing and inspection of mechanical and electrical systems. Our teams also reviewed zoning reports, conducted site fit testing, and reviewed power supply systems, water supply infrastructure, and wastewater exportation based on estimated usage.
“The engineering team reviewed the proposed use and capacities for electricity, water usage, waste exportation, and water capacities for life safety building systems (fire protection systems),” the ICE memo notes. “Once these capacities were identified, an engineered solution was developed, using standard code compliant methodologies within the design of the facility. The final selection of a facility was predicated on a “No Detrimental Effect” determination.”
ICE says it reviewed “the additional capacities” for domestic water at each of the facilities it chose for its initiative. It says it determined the capacities at the sites are sufficient to support the new facilities.
The agency says it also reviewed wastewater capabilities at the sites it selected for the initiative. On this, ICE says that larger facilities like the one in Tremont Township will require additional infrastructure.
“There are numerous solutions which will be implemented to utilize the existing infrastructure without creating an adverse impact to the water authority infrastructure,” ICE’s memo states.
ICE says it will need engagement and data from the local authorities serving its detention locations.
“Our engineers believe the proposed solutions … and the contingencies, will provide no adverse effect on the community and surrounding properties for each facility identified,” the memo concludes.
Public Safety Concerns Identified
In an FAQ section of the memo, there is a specific question about a detention center’s proximity to a church or day care center.
Near the planned ICE detention center in Tremont Township is the Kids-R-Kids Child Care Center.
In response to a detention center’s location near a day care, ICE says, “All detention sites will be constructed and operated in a manner consistent with ICE’s national detention standards. ICE and all contractors involved in the design, build, and operations of the site will adhere to strict safety and security protocols.”
FULL COVERAGE
Read all our stories on this story with impacts across the coal region by following these links, including our Topic page: ICE in Schuylkill County
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