The Trump administration’s plan to rapidly expand immigration detention capacity by tens of thousands of beds has hit a roadblock as a key contract for building a tent city at Fort Bliss military base in Texas was terminated. The initial plan to add beds at Guantánamo Bay fell through due to cost and logistical issues. A $3.8 billion contract was awarded to Deployed Resources to build the facility, but it was terminated last week for “convenience” citing executive orders on transparency and wasteful spending. The lack of space for holding immigrants before deportation has been a challenge for immigration enforcement efforts. The canceled contract poses difficulties for the administration, as ICE detention centers must meet specific standards for housing migrants. The use of tent facilities presents risks for both migrants and detention officers, and may not meet the requirements mandated by federal court settlements. The decision to cancel the contract adds pressure to ICE, as they are currently holding more detainees than they are funded for by Congress, potentially leading to a budget shortfall by the end of the fiscal year. The sources indicate that brick-and-mortar detention centers are better equipped for long-term detention compared to tent facilities. The halt in plans for Fort Bliss highlights the challenges in quickly expanding detention capacity and meeting safety and humanitarian standards for detaining immigrants.
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