The U.S. Department of Defense has granted a formal request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use military facilities to house immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), amid a surge in immigration arrests and strained detention capacity nationwide.
According to DHS officials, the military bases approved for use are:
- ✅ Camp Atterbury in Indiana
- ✅ Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey
In addition, plans are underway to expand detention operations at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
The temporary authorization allows up to 2,000 immigrants to be detained at these sites through September 30, 2025. ICE, a DHS agency, will oversee operations at the bases, including the provision of food, medical services, and 24-hour security.
The decision comes as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to escalate immigration enforcement. With arrest numbers rising and traditional ICE detention centers reaching capacity, federal authorities have turned to military infrastructure to bridge the gap. The expansion is backed by increased congressional appropriations allocated for immigration enforcement under the Trump administration’s 2025 budget plan.
ICE officials confirmed that the military facilities will be used to detain noncitizens who are in the United States without lawful status and are awaiting removal or other immigration processing outcomes. Legal advocates warn that the move could further strain due process protections for detainees, particularly if facilities are located far from immigration courts or legal resources.
Critics also raised concerns about detaining immigrants on military installations, citing transparency and access issues. However, ICE has committed to maintaining round-the-clock oversight at all three sites to comply with federal detention standards.
Guantánamo Bay’s role in the plan has generated particular scrutiny, given its controversial history as a detention site for terrorism suspects. The Biden administration previously scaled down immigration-related operations there, but the Trump administration’s renewed emphasis on enforcement has revived its use.
Legal experts are watching the developments closely.
“Using military bases for immigration detention raises constitutional questions regarding access to counsel and judicial review,” said an immigration law professor familiar with prior base-use cases. “It may also heighten the risk of prolonged detention without meaningful opportunity for release.”
As of this month, ICE’s detention population has surpassed 36,000 individuals, with further increases expected as enforcement efforts continue.
