On April 29, President Trump marks his first 100 days in office. In that time, he has certainly busied himself attacking migrants much as he did on the campaign trail. Staff in the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice, meanwhile, has made time for significant expansions to the nation’s population of immigration prisoners.

According to news reports tracked by Detention Watch Network, the federal government is in the process of adding prison beds in at least four locations in Florida, and Texas. In total, DWN has confirmed that the federal government has secured agreements to add over 2,000 beds to its immigration prison network. Negotiations are underway for an additional 1,500 beds at two additional Texas sites as well one in Illinois. Rumors are swirling about possible immigration prison expansions in several other states.

The federal government’s immigration prison regime includes the Immigration and Customs Enforcement unit of DHS, as well as the United States Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. ICE and USMS have both been mentioned as possible partners for the confirmed facilities as well as those under negotiation.

The Detention Watch Network shared these reports with me. Recognizing that policy plans are often made quietly and quickly, DWN requests that anyone who learns of proposed expansions of existing facilities or development of new facilities contact Mary Small, DWN Policy Director, at msmall@detentionwatchnetwork.org.