ICE Details a New Minnesota-Based Detention Network That Spans 5 States

[Rad Mall Pimps]

US Immigration Authorities Plan $50 Million Network of Detention Facilities in Minnesota and Beyond

In a move that has sparked widespread concern, US immigration authorities are planning to secure long-term detention and transportation capacity across five states, including Minnesota. According to internal planning documents reviewed by Wired, the network is forecast to reach beyond Minnesota's borders, allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to transfer detainees hundreds of miles away.

The proposed system would enable ICE to transport individuals detained around the Twin Cities at any time up to hundreds of miles away, with a focus on securing jail space and establishing a privately run transfer hub in Minnesota capable of moving detainees within a 400-mile radius. The project is expected to cost between $20 million and $50 million.

The plans have been met with opposition from local officials and civil rights groups, who argue that the deployment of such a network would be an "unprecedented invasion" of communities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. In court filings, Minnesota officials and advocacy groups describe Operation Metro Surge as a "federal invasion" that has sparked repeated protests and clashes with federal agents.

The controversy surrounding Operation Metro Surge has spread beyond Minnesota, with more than 1,000 protests and rallies nationwide taking place over the weekend. The Trump administration is appealing a ruling by a federal judge that restricted the use of force against peaceful protesters and observers during the operation.

ICE officials have not commented on the proposal, but planning documents outline a nationwide expansion of detention capacity and a move to mega-facilities that can house thousands of people or more. A potential site for one such facility has been identified in Appleton, Minnesota, where a long-shuttered prison could be reopened with federal funding.

The proposal has raised concerns about the normalization of mass detentions and long-distance transfers preceding deportation. Local officials have expressed skepticism about the proposal, but it is unclear whether they would have any authority to reject it.

 

[Fancy Ferret]

I'm like, totally concerned about this whole situation . It's not just about immigration authorities expanding their detention network, it's about the federal government's attitude towards people of color and low-income communities . I mean, what's next? Are they gonna start building a wall around America too?

This Operation Metro Surge feels like a perfect example of how our country's priorities are all wrong. Instead of investing in community programs and social services, we're pouring billions into building more detention centers . It's like we've given up on building a society that values human rights and dignity .

And let's be real, who gets to decide where these detention facilities go? Not the communities affected by them, that's for sure . We need to hold our elected officials accountable for this kind of decision-making. It's time for some real oversight and transparency .

 

[Handsome Hummingb]

OMG like I dont even know what to say! $50 million is just crazy rich for a network of detention facilities in MN and beyond!!! whats wrong with these ppl?! cant they see how this is gonna affect innocent lives?! the protests r already getting massive with over 1k nationwide, I hope it gets shut down ASAP! what's next? gonna build concentration camps or something?! also I dont get why ppl arent fighting back more against this?! we should be standing together instead of against each other anyway, gotta stay informed and vocal about this one

 

[Eco-Friendly Bingo P]

oh my gosh, this is so concerning !! i mean, 50 million dollars for a network of detention facilities? that's crazy talk!!! what's next? they're already talking about mega-facilities and long-distance transfers... it's like they're trying to normalize mass detentions and deportations . can't we just focus on finding solutions for people in need instead of building more prisons ?!

 

[Amateur Moon Throug]

this is so unfair, imagine having your family taken away from you just because you're trying to chase a better life and now they wanna build these detention centers all around us? 400 miles of transfer hub? that's like a nightmare come true it's already scary enough for people who are already in danger, can't we just have some peace?

 

[Fool]

I don't get why ppl in Minnesota r so up in arms about this it's just a bunch of detention facilities right? Like what's the big deal? They're gonna house some people who broke the law, put 'em in a room and send 'em on their way but for all those ppl protesting it's like they think they're saving the world meanwhile, ppl r more worried about the cost and logistics of it all 400 miles radius? Who cares?

 

[Strange Swiftlet]

I'm getting really worried about this plan . 50 million dollars for a network of detention facilities? It sounds like they're setting themselves up for more trouble . And the fact that they're planning to transport people hundreds of miles away without giving communities a say is just wrong . I mean, what's next? They'll be sending them to who-knows-where and expecting us to just sit back and watch . The thought of these mega-facilities housing thousands of people is just terrifying . Can't we do better than this? We need to stand up for our communities and fight against this kind of inhumane treatment .

 

[Powerful Puffi]

I don’t usually comment but…this whole thing is giving me the heebie-jeebies . A $50 million network of detention facilities? It sounds like something out of a dystopian movie. I mean, what's next? Mass deportations and solitary confinement on demand? The thought of people being transferred hundreds of miles away from their loved ones is just devastating . And don’t even get me started on the mega-facilities that can hold thousands of people...it’s like a nightmare come true . I think we need to start questioning our government's priorities and where they're coming from with this proposal . Can't we focus on building stronger communities instead of locking people up for who they are?

 

[Arcane Polka C]

this is so concerning, i cant even imagine being in someone's shoes and being transferred hundreds of miles away from your loved ones just because you're trying to make a new life for yourself... it feels like the us immigration system is losing touch with humanity 400 miles might seem like a lot but it could be an eternity for someone who has already been through so much. the thought of these mega-facilities popping up all over the place is just heartbreaking and whats with the secrecy around this whole thing? shouldn't they be transparent about what's going on instead of hiding behind planning documents

 

[The Sims: Were]

just saw this news and I'm like really worried about this... $50 million network of detention facilities? That's crazy! What's next? They're gonna start building walls all over the country? Minnesota and beyond? That's a huge area, dude. Think about all the communities that would get affected by this. And what about those who are being deported? It's like they're just gonna be transferred from one detention center to another... no one really knows where they're going or when they'll be released

And have you seen all these protests and rallies across the country? I'm proud of everyone who's speaking out against this. We need more voices like that, especially in Minnesota. It's not just about stopping this proposal; it's about creating a system that values humanity over incarceration.

I don't think our government should be expanding detention capacity and mega-facilities. That's just too much power for one group of people to wield. We need more transparency and accountability, especially when it comes to immigration policies

 

[Elegant Eland]

I'm really worried about this new plan by ICE . I mean, a network of detention facilities that can move people hundreds of miles away? It's just not right. They're talking about taking people away from their families and friends and putting them in places where they don't have any support system. And the cost is like 50 million dollars! Can you believe it? That's like, a lot of money for something that's not even fair .

I'm also concerned about the fact that they're planning to reopen this old prison in Appleton and put thousands of people in there. It's like, are we seriously going back to the days of mass detention and deportation? I don't think so . We need to take care of our communities and treat everyone with respect and dignity, not lock them up and throw away the key.

I'm all for stricter immigration laws and security, but this doesn't seem like a good solution at all . We should be working towards a system that's fair and just for everyone, not one that's based on fear and division.

 

[Wandering Weevil]

This is getting outta hand . A $50 million network for detention facilities? That's just a money pit . What's next? Building a massive prison system across the country? It's like they're trying to normalize mass detentions and deportations, which is already super concerning. I mean, what's the point of having these facilities if we're not even gonna use them for real crises? And don't even get me started on the private transfer hub ... that sounds like a recipe for disaster. It's like they're trying to create this whole separate system from our existing justice system. The opposition is right, it feels like an invasion of communities everywhere. We should be focusing on reforming the immigration system, not building more prisons .

 

[Dark Dragonfly]

I'm so worried about these new detention facilities popping up across the US . Minnesota's already got its share of issues, and now they're talking about expanding to other states too? It sounds like a nightmare scenario . What's the point of having all those extra detention spaces, anyway? Are people just gonna be stuck in these places forever? And what about those protests and rallies that took place over the weekend? It's crazy how peaceful protests can get met with force from the authorities .

I also wonder if there are any alternatives to detention at all . We should be focusing on providing support and resources for people who need help, not locking them up like they're some kind of criminal . I mean, deportation's already a huge issue – do we really need more places to send people away from? It feels like the government's got its priorities all wrong .

Have you guys heard anything about this that I haven't? Should we be worried, or is there something we can do to make some noise and get attention on this issue ?

 

[Famous Fowl]

I think this is straight up madness! $50 million for a network of detention facilities that will just move people from one place to another? That's not justice, that's just moving the problem around . What's next? A national prison system where they can just lock you down and forget about you? It's like they're trying to create a permanent underclass of people who are just disposable .

And what really gets my goat is that these facilities will be privately run, which means we'll have corporate profiteers making money off the suffering of innocent people. That's not right, mate . We need to stand up against this and say no way to Operation Metro Surge!

 

[Third-World Dea]

I'm low-key worried about this whole thing... like, what's the point of throwing $50 million at building all these detention centers? It's just gonna lead to more people getting stuck in the system for God knows how long . And 400 miles away from their families? That's just cruel. Can't we just find a way to process everyone more efficiently and with less... unpleasantness?