The push to turn old warehouses into immigration detention centers just hit a major legal speed bump. Facing lawsuits in at least four states, the Trump administration is now moving to complete environmental reviews for some facilities after initially arguing the projects were exempt from such scrutiny under the National Environmental Policy Act, reports the New York Times. A federal judge in Maryland recently disagreed with that argument, halting plans to convert a Williamsport warehouse into a center that could hold up to 1,500 migrants amid a complaint faulting the government for ignoring potential impacts on local waterways, protected species, and even the town's sewer system.
ICE has already spent about $1 billion on 11 warehouses nationwide as it seeks more control over detention space by reducing reliance on private contractors and state-run jails. There are currently about 58,000 people in custody, short of past targets of 100,000 beds. Environmental challenges have been filed in Maryland, New Jersey, Michigan, and Arizona, and internal Justice Department concerns suggest more courtroom fights ahead; complaints in Pennsylvania have already emerged.
Homeland Security officials insist they're following the law and accuse liberal groups of using environmental rules to slow deportations, while new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is said to be skeptical about buying additional warehouses. More here on one conservative New Jersey town that's balking at a possible warehouse conversion.
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