Gov. Walz’s Minnesota may get ICE detention facility at old prison

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Faces Potential ICE Detention Center Placement

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing the possibility of his state being included in ICE’s expanding detention center network. Following the opening or repurposing of major facilities in Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and other states, attention has turned to the defunct Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota.

The prison, which closed over a decade ago and was made obsolete by a 2024 law prohibiting non-governmental state penitentiaries, is reportedly under consideration by ICE. Documents reported by Minnesota Public Radio News suggest that the owner of the facility is seeking a federal contract for its use as an immigration detention center.

While Appleton officials have stated that they are not currently in communication with ICE, the potential repurposing of the Prairie Correctional Facility raises concerns about the use of private prisons for immigration enforcement. Despite the state law banning non-governmental prisons, it does not explicitly cover federal usage of such facilities.

In addition to the potential Minnesota facility, other locations across the country have been identified as potential sites for ICE detention centers. The Washington Post has curated a map highlighting present and future facilities, including Alligator Alcatraz in Florida and the Reeves County Detention Center in Texas.

The expansion of ICE’s detention facilities has raised concerns among civil rights groups and advocates for immigrant rights. The use of private prisons for immigration enforcement has been criticized for its lack of oversight and accountability.

As the debate over immigration policy continues, the role of private prisons in the detention of immigrants remains a contentious issue. The potential placement of an ICE detention center in Minnesota underscores the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.