Shapiro Opposes Massive ICE Detention Center in Pennsylvania

Governor says planned 7,500-bed facility 'does not belong' in the state as local officials raise concerns over infrastructure and transparency.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has voiced strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's plans to convert a former retail warehouse in Schuylkill County into a massive 7,500-bed ICE detention center. Shapiro says the facility 'does not belong' in the state, as local officials express concerns over the facility's impact on public utilities and infrastructure, as well as a lack of transparency from federal authorities.

Why it matters

The proposed ICE detention center has sparked outrage and concern among Pennsylvania officials and residents, who argue the facility is too large for the local community to handle and that the federal government has not adequately engaged with state and local stakeholders. The dispute highlights broader tensions over immigration enforcement policies and the role of the federal government in local communities.

The details

DHS recently purchased a 1.3 million square-foot warehouse and 172-acre property in Tremont Township, Schuylkill County, for nearly $120 million, with plans to retrofit the facility into an ICE detention center. Local officials say the warehouse's existing water and sewer hookups were designed for only a few hundred people, not the potential 7,500 detainees the facility could hold. DHS has claimed the project will bring thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue, but has provided little information to state and local authorities about its plans or the facility's impact on the community.

  • DHS purchased the property and filed the deed transfer last week.
  • The warehouse was previously used as a distribution center by Big Lots until the end of 2024.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The Governor of Pennsylvania who has voiced strong opposition to the planned ICE detention center, saying it 'does not belong' in the state.

Larry Bender

A Tremont Township supervisor who says local officials have not heard anything from the federal government about the planned facility.

Larry Padora

A Schuylkill County Commissioner who raised concerns about the warehouse's public water and sewer hookups being designed for only a few hundred people, not thousands of detainees.

Dan Meuser

A U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania's 9th District who says he is working to get 'clear answers' from DHS about the planned detention centers in Schuylkill and Berks counties.

John Fetterman

The U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania who wrote a letter to DHS expressing concerns about the lack of information provided to local communities about the planned facilities.

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What they’re saying

“We were kept in the dark.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania (wnep.com)

“Just have to wait and see.”

— Larry Bender, Tremont Township Supervisor (wnep.com)

“To date, ICE has provided these communities with no information on how it will meet these expansive needs, and it would be wildly irresponsible to place such a burden on these communities.”

— John Fetterman, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania (wnep.com)

What’s next

Rep. Dan Meuser says he plans to convene a meeting as soon as possible, bringing together Schuylkill and Berks county officials with DHS to address the issues directly and ensure transparency moving forward.

The takeaway

The planned ICE detention center has sparked fierce opposition from Pennsylvania's governor and other state and local officials, who argue the facility is too large for the community to handle and that the federal government has failed to properly engage with stakeholders. The dispute underscores the broader tensions over immigration enforcement and the role of the federal government in local communities.