ICE plans spending billions on detention centers across the United States according to leaked internal documents obtained by Reuters. The massive expansion of immigration detention capacity represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in the agency's history and has sparked intense debate over immigration enforcement priorities.

$38.3 Billion ICE Detention Center Expansion Plan

Documents show Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to spend $38.3 billion on detention facilities nationwide. The plan includes building new detention centers and expanding existing facilities to accommodate significantly more detainees than current capacity allows.

This massive investment signals a dramatic escalation in immigration enforcement operations. Policy experts note that the scale of spending suggests preparation for widespread detention operations that could affect millions of immigrants currently living in the United States.

ICE Detention Deaths Raise Safety Concerns

The expansion plans come amid growing concerns about conditions in existing ICE facilities. According to the American Immigration Council, six people died in ICE custody in January 2026 alone, with the number continuing to increase. These deaths have raised serious questions about whether the agency can safely manage current detainees, let alone a massive expansion.

Reports of inadequate medical care, unsanitary conditions, and overcrowding have plagued ICE detention centers for years. Health advocates warn that rapidly expanding detention capacity without addressing systemic problems could lead to more deaths and human rights violations.

Impact on Communities and Local Economies

The proposed detention centers would be built across multiple states, fundamentally altering the immigration enforcement landscape. Local communities where facilities are planned have expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming jobs while others fear becoming targets for immigration raids.

Economic analysts question whether the $38.3 billion investment represents the best use of federal resources. The money could alternatively fund comprehensive immigration reform, border security technology, or services to help process asylum claims more efficiently.

Legal Challenges Expected Over ICE Expansion

Immigration advocacy groups have already signaled they will challenge the detention center expansion through legal channels. They argue that the scale of detention envisioned violates constitutional protections and international human rights standards regarding the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers.

Congressional Democrats have also raised concerns about oversight and accountability for the massive spending. They are demanding detailed plans about where facilities will be located, how detainees will be treated, and what metrics will determine success.

What This Means for Immigrant Communities

For immigrant communities across America, the ICE detention expansion plan creates widespread fear and uncertainty. Even immigrants with legal status worry about increased enforcement activities in their neighborhoods and workplaces.

The plan represents a significant shift in US immigration policy toward detention-heavy enforcement. Read the full Reuters report on ICE spending plans. Communities are organizing legal defense funds and know-your-rights training to prepare for potential enforcement actions.