Immigration authorities are facing growing challenges with detention space as enforcement operations have intensified. Despite an increase in arrests of undocumented immigrants, officials are struggling to accommodate the rising number of detainees.
Héctor Quirog, an immigration attorney based in Spokane, Washington, explained that while authorities have ambitious enforcement goals, practical issues like limited detention space are creating obstacles.
“There’s no lack of effort in achieving these goals, but there are capacity challenges,” Quirog said. “The number of available beds in detention centers is a significant concern. Some individuals must wait for hearings, and there’s only so much space to house them.”
Since President Donald Trump’s return to office on January 20, immigration authorities have ramped up enforcement efforts. On January 23, coordinated operations led to the detention of 538 individuals across major U.S. cities. Days later, on January 29, officials arrested 956 individuals — the highest single-day total under the current administration. In the first month of Trump’s second term, approximately 8,276 people were detained.
For the 2024 fiscal year, Congress allocated funding for 41,500 detention beds, costing around $3.4 billion annually. Despite this, ICE reported in December 2024 that limited bed space has forced the agency to prioritize whom they detain.
“You have to decide who stays and who’s released,” Quirog said. “The focus is usually on those with criminal records, while others may be monitored with ankle bracelets or required to check in regularly.”
The administration’s plans to expand enforcement efforts face logistical hurdles unless additional detention capacity is secured. Some migrants have been released under supervision programs, including the use of GPS monitoring devices.
To address the shortage, authorities set up tents at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantánamo Bay. However, none of the 195 available beds have been used due to the facilities not meeting detention standards. As of Wednesday, 20 migrants were being held at the base — 16 identified as “high-threat individuals” housed in a secure area known as Camp 6, and four others placed in a backup facility.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE have not provided details on the criteria for determining who is considered a high-threat individual.
ICE has requested an additional $3 billion to fund 60,000 more detention beds, largely due to the passage of the Laken Riley Act. This legislation requires authorities to detain undocumented individuals who have been arrested for theft-related crimes.
In a letter responding to inquiries from Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, ICE noted that this requirement alone would demand at least 64,000 additional detention beds, not accounting for other enforcement priorities that could further increase the need for space.
With these developments, Republican lawmakers are expected to prioritize border security and immigration enforcement in upcoming budget negotiations, reflecting the heightened focus on these issues during the 2024 election season.
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