ICE Plans $50M Private Detention Network

Internal planning documents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reveal a proposed $50 million privately run detention network spanning five states across the Upper Midwest.

The network would center operations in Minnesota while extending capabilities hundreds of miles across the region, representing a significant expansion of detention infrastructure.

These documents outline a coordinated system designed to transport and house immigrants in custody across state lines, with private contractors operating facilities under federal oversight.

Planning documents show the detention network would operate as an integrated system across the Upper Midwest, with Minnesota serving as the primary operational hub.

The $50 million investment would fund a privately managed infrastructure capable of moving individuals in custody across vast distances, creating a regional approach to immigration detention.

Key elements of the proposed network include:

• Private contractor operation of all facilities
• Coordinated transportation systems across five states
• Centralized command structure based in Minnesota
• Capacity for long-distance transfers of detainees

The network represents a shift toward regional coordination rather than isolated facility management, potentially streamlining operations across multiple jurisdictions.

The proposed network would extend hundreds of miles across the Upper Midwest, connecting facilities through a centralized transportation and management system.

Documents indicate the network's design prioritizes regional mobility, allowing for the transfer of detainees between facilities without relying on ad hoc arrangements.

Five states would be connected through this infrastructure, though specific locations beyond Minnesota remain detailed in internal planning materials.

The private operation model means contracted companies would handle day-to-day facility management, security, and transportation logistics while ICE maintains federal oversight and policy direction.

The proposed $50 million investment would fund a comprehensive network infrastructure, though the documents do not specify whether this represents a one-time capital expenditure or multi-year operational funding.

Private sector involvement suggests the cost structure would likely include per-diem rates for detainees, transportation contracts, and facility management fees paid to contractors.

This funding model aligns with ICE's existing reliance on private detention providers, though the regional network approach represents a more integrated financial and operational structure than traditional facility-by-facility contracts.

The Upper Midwest detention network would fundamentally alter how immigration custody is managed across the northern United States, creating a dedicated infrastructure for long-distance detainee movement.

Minnesota's central role positions the state as a critical node in federal immigration enforcement operations, potentially affecting regional transportation routes and local coordination with federal authorities.

The network's capacity to move individuals hundreds of miles raises questions about access to legal services, family visitation, and community support for detainees housed far from their original points of apprehension.

Regional coordination could also streamline case management by concentrating detainees in centralized facilities, though this may distance individuals from local legal resources and community connections.

The proposed network represents a significant evolution in immigration detention strategy, moving toward regional coordination under private management.

Internal documents suggest this initiative reflects broader trends in federal immigration enforcement, where large-scale regional systems replace fragmented local arrangements.

Implementation would require final approval and contract awards, with the Minnesota-centered network potentially serving as a model for similar regional systems elsewhere.

The plan's $50 million price tag and multi-state scope indicate ICE's commitment to expanding detention capacity through integrated, privately operated infrastructure across the Upper Midwest.