Trump administration plans to detain undocumented immigrants at military sites: Report

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Trump administration is advancing plans to detain undocumented immigrants at military sites across the US amid the president’s mass deportation pledge, said a report on Thursday.

Citing three officials familiar with the plan, the New York Times reported that the administration is establishing a deportation hub at Fort Bliss, near El Paso in Texas capable of holding up to 10,000 immigrants during deportation proceedings.

The facility would serve as a model for additional military detention centers planned across the country, including in Utah and near Niagara Falls, according to the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The initiative aims to address a shortage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention space, the officials said. However, concerns have been raised over past reports of poor conditions for immigrants held in military facilities.

Some former US immigration officials reportedly worry the plan could lay the groundwork for the prolonged migrant detention at military bases.

The White House, the Pentagon and Homeland Security Departments have not immediately commented on the report.

Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to using Defense Department resources for immigration enforcement, telling reporters Thursday, “You do not come here illegally. You will not get in.”