ICEd Out: Detention center plans meet resistance in PA

What this episode covers

In recent months, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security spent more than one billion dollars buying nearly a dozen warehouses in several states. The plan is to convert them into immigrant detention centers as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation initiative.   Two are being pursued in rural Pennsylvania: Tremont Township in Schuylkill County, and Upper Bern Township in Berks County. As it stands, infrastructure in the area cannot support an operation of that scale. That reality has essentially opened the door for the state government to stall the project.  In Episode 30, we’re handing the reins to our States Newsroom colleagues at The Pennsylvania Capital-Star. “ICEd Out: Detention center plans meet resistance in Pennsylvania’s coal region” is a new series that explores how commonwealth residents are pushing back against the facilities. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Emily Previti spent some time in the Coal Region to find out how the plan is landing with residents, elected leaders and business owners. She found people in limbo, grappling with being thrust into the national immigration debate and – once again – with the possibility of exploitation by outsiders. "ICEd Out" is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. Special thanks to WITF for the use of their studios.  You can listen to the full series here. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.  Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  ‘Wound down and shut down’ — Florida congressman says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ coming to an end (Florida Phoenix)  Advocates rally at NC legislature to oppose potential ICE detention expansion (NC Newsline) Voluntary departures spike as immigrants face squalid detention, pressure to leave (Stateline) Newark migrant jail detainees launch hunger, labor strike over conditions behind bars (New Jersey Monitor) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected] Photo: Joyce Wetzel's Kids-R-Kids daycare center at Route 209 and Rausch Creek Road, adjacent to the former Big Lots distribution center recently purchased by the federal government for conversion into a 7,500-person capacity Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention and processing facility as part of its mass deportation push. (Photo credit: Jessica Kourkounis for The Pennsylvania Capital-Star)