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State orders DHS to comply with environmental requirements before opening Berks, Schuylkill ICE detention centers
DEP orders block DHS from using local water and sewer systems for detention centers planned for 9,000 people to prevent overwhelming infrastructure and environmental harm.
- On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued five administrative orders blocking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from occupying two newly purchased warehouses in Berks and Schuylkill counties and directing municipal entities not to provide water or sewage service until environmental compliance is demonstrated.
- DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said the department acted after reviewing plans to convert the Upper Bern site into a 1,500-person Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center and the Tremont site into a 7,500-person detention center, raising serious environmental concerns about overwhelming local systems.
- DEP's orders cite specific capacity gaps: the Tremont site could require up to 900,000 gallons of water daily, representing 90% of available stored water in the Tremont Water System, while sewage needs could range from 450,000 to 1,000,000 gallons per day, far exceeding the Tremont Wastewater Treatment Plant's daily average of approximately 394,000 gallons.
- The orders prohibit DHS from occupying the warehouses until permits and legal requirements are satisfied, forbid unpermitted holding tanks and septic systems, and give DHS 20 days to submit a formal compliance plan to state regulators.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro vowed to use his authority to stop the proposals, and the dispute intensifies as both warehouses were purchased in January for $87.4 million and $119.5 million respectively, with all facilities intended to be in operation by Nov. 30.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Pennsylvania: Proposed ICE detention centers 'will overwhelm' existing infrastructure
A warehouse purchased by ICE in Upper Bern Township, Berks County, on Feb. 26, 2026 (Photo by Ian Karbal/Pennsyvlania Capital-Star)The Shapiro administration stepped up its opposition to two proposed immigrant detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties Thursday, issuing administrative orders claiming that housing anyone at either location would violate state water regulations. Five administrative orders sent through the state Department …
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Pennsylvania: Proposed ICE detention centers ‘will overwhelm’ existing infrastructure
A warehouse purchased by ICE in Upper Bern Township, Berks County, on Feb. 26, 2026 (Photo by Ian Karbal/Pennsyvlania Capital-Star)The Shapiro administration stepped up its opposition to two proposed immigrant detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties Thursday, issuing administrative orders claiming that housing anyone at either location would violate state water regulations. Five administrative orders sent through the state Department …
The Huntsville Item
DEP issues orders against Homeland Security over planned Pa. detention centers
HARRISBURG — Gov. Josh Shapiro vowed to exercise his authority to disrupt plans by the Department of Homeland Security to create two new immigration detention facilities in Pennsylvania, and on Thursday, his administration took its first steps to do just…
Daily Local News
Pa. DEP orders DHS to comply with environmental rules before opening Berks, Schuylkill ICE detention centers
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued administrative orders requiring the federal government comply with environmental requirements before opening immigration detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties, the agency announced. The move Thursday came a week after Gov. Josh Shapiro held a closed-door meeting with county and local officials and vowed to do everything in his power to stop the U.S. Department of Hom…
State orders DHS to comply with environmental requirements before opening Berks, Schuylkill ICE detention centers
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued administrative orders requiring the federal government comply with environmental requirements before opening immigration detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties, the agency announced. The move Thursday came a week after Gov. Josh Shapiro held a closed-door meeting with county and local officials and vowed to do everything in his power to stop the U.S. Department of Hom…
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