ICE's Secret Detention Network Spans 5 States, Leaving Thousands Vulnerable to Deportation
A shocking internal planning document reveals that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is on the verge of securing a massive privately run detention network across five states in the Upper Midwest. Spanning Minnesota and four neighboring states - North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska - this vast network will enable ICE to detain up to 1,000 people at any given time, with the potential for transporting them hundreds of miles away.
The proposed network, which is forecast to cost between $20 million and $50 million, will allow ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) unit to expand its detention capacity and establish a privately run transfer hub in Minnesota. This facility, located in Appleton, has been resurrected from a long-shuttered prison that was previously considered as a potential site for the transfer hub.
CoreCivic, the company that owns the Appleton prison, has acknowledged its pursuit of federal opportunities and is expected to bid on the contract in early 2026. The facility's reopening has sparked controversy among local residents, who fear it will bring mass detentions to their town and normalize long-distance transfers prior to deportation.
The proposed network raises concerns about ICE's aggressive tactics and its impact on communities across the region. Recent events have seen thousands of armed agents deployed into Minneapolis and Saint Paul, sparking repeated protests and violent confrontations with demonstrators.
In court, a federal judge has set restrictions on federal agents participating in Operation Metro Surge, which aims to halt what the US government calls "unprecedented deployment." However, the Trump administration is appealing this ruling, further exacerbating tensions.
Critics have described the operation as an "ICE invasion" and an "unprecedented deployment," citing fears that it will lead to widespread deportations and harm vulnerable communities. Protests and rallies have been held nationwide, with over 1,000 events taking place in cities across America.
As ICE's detention network expands, questions remain about the agency's accountability and transparency. The public has a right to know more about this vast network, which will undoubtedly impact countless lives across the region.
A shocking internal planning document reveals that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is on the verge of securing a massive privately run detention network across five states in the Upper Midwest. Spanning Minnesota and four neighboring states - North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska - this vast network will enable ICE to detain up to 1,000 people at any given time, with the potential for transporting them hundreds of miles away.
The proposed network, which is forecast to cost between $20 million and $50 million, will allow ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) unit to expand its detention capacity and establish a privately run transfer hub in Minnesota. This facility, located in Appleton, has been resurrected from a long-shuttered prison that was previously considered as a potential site for the transfer hub.
CoreCivic, the company that owns the Appleton prison, has acknowledged its pursuit of federal opportunities and is expected to bid on the contract in early 2026. The facility's reopening has sparked controversy among local residents, who fear it will bring mass detentions to their town and normalize long-distance transfers prior to deportation.
The proposed network raises concerns about ICE's aggressive tactics and its impact on communities across the region. Recent events have seen thousands of armed agents deployed into Minneapolis and Saint Paul, sparking repeated protests and violent confrontations with demonstrators.
In court, a federal judge has set restrictions on federal agents participating in Operation Metro Surge, which aims to halt what the US government calls "unprecedented deployment." However, the Trump administration is appealing this ruling, further exacerbating tensions.
Critics have described the operation as an "ICE invasion" and an "unprecedented deployment," citing fears that it will lead to widespread deportations and harm vulnerable communities. Protests and rallies have been held nationwide, with over 1,000 events taking place in cities across America.
As ICE's detention network expands, questions remain about the agency's accountability and transparency. The public has a right to know more about this vast network, which will undoubtedly impact countless lives across the region.
I'm literally shaking thinking about people being detained without even knowing what's happening! Like, thousands of people being stuck in these detention centers with no idea when or if they'll be deported 
. And it's not just the people who are detained, their families too... the whole community is affected 
. We need to make sure we're holding our leaders accountable for this and making sure we're treating each other humanely 
. I'm all about being informed and taking action to stop this from happening 
.
I'm really worried about what's going on with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and their secret detention network 
. They're planning to build a huge facility in Minnesota that can hold up to 1,000 people at once 
! That's like a mini-concentration camp 
. And it's not just the number of people that's concerning, but also where they'll be transported from and where they'll end up. It's like they're taking away people's freedom without even giving them a chance to appeal 
.
The public is finally speaking out against this, but I wish there was more transparency about what's happening with ICE 
. We deserve to know how many people are being detained, where they're being sent, and why 
. It's not fair to just lock people up without even giving them a chance to fight their cases or appeal their deportation 
. We need some real accountability here 
!
We need 2 fight 4 our rights & make sure our communities r safe! 
. We're talking thousands of people living in fear of deportation, and it's just not right 
. The fact that this network could hold up to 1,000 people at any given time is mind-boggling 
. As a society, we have a right to know more about how our government agencies are operating, especially when it comes to things like immigration 
. It's time for us to demand transparency and accountability from our leaders 
. We need to make sure that everyone has access to healthcare, education, and basic human rights 
.