The federal government aims to nearly triple the capacity of a former prison in Marana, Arizona, slated to become an immigration detention center, from 513 to 1,300 beds through the use of temporary beds.

Local Reaction

Pima Resists I.C.E., a group created to resist the detention center, expressed disappointment over the increased capacity plan. The group pointed the finger at Marana officials, who they said promised to keep residents updated on any movements.

Marana town council member Patrick Cavanaugh said he was troubled to learn about the proposed capacity increase for the building. “I am very disturbed and I know most citizens in Marana are very disturbed about this ICE detention center,” he said.

The facility, formerly a state prison, is to be run by private prison operator Management and Training Corporation (MTC). Immigration authorities said they had no detention service contracts to announce at this time for the Marana facility.

Expansion Plans

The proposed immigration detention center in Marana has been at the center of a regional organizing effort in opposition to the project since last fall. The notice also comes amid concerns about overcrowding in other Arizona ICE facilities in recent weeks.

People held in immigration detention at a temporary staging facility in Florence reported overcrowding, including 200 to 300 men held in rooms designed for about 100 people, according to a June report from The Florence Project, a Tucson-based legal advocacy group.

Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.