Trump Administration to Establish New Detention Facility for Migrant Families
The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to open a 528-bed detention facility for migrant families and unaccompanied minors next to an airport hub, a development expected to streamline the deportation process. Located in Alexandria, Louisiana, the facility aims to address logistical challenges previously faced by officials transporting children from foster homes and shelters nationwide.
Last year, numerous instances highlighted these logistical headaches, including a troubling episode in which children from Guatemala were awakened in the middle of the night and forced to endure long waits on airport tarmacs. This scenario underscored the urgent need for a facility capable of accommodating families and minors ahead of deportation flights to destinations like Harlingen, Texas.
Although U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) describes the Alexandria location as a “holding area” rather than a traditional detention center, there are concerns about the potential duration of detainment. While ICE states individuals will generally spend no more than a few days at the facility, immigration advocates worry that many children could be held for several weeks or even months, reflecting similar issues seen in existing federal immigration detention centers.
Lecia Welch, Chief Legal Counsel at the nonprofit Children’s Rights, expressed apprehensions about the facility, asserting, “This is an expansion of the deportation system in a way we’ve never seen before.” She warned that the structure could introduce significant risks for vulnerable populations.
Private Prison Companies Involved in Facility Operations
Unaccompanied minors arriving in the United States without adult guardians will not be placed in ICE facilities, as federal law mandates their immediate placement in state-licensed shelters or foster care programs, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement. However, the Alexandria facility will not have the same oversight, as it is set to be managed by the nonprofit arm of LaSalle Corrections, a private prison contractor.
Ralph Hennessy, Executive Director of Air Parks England, indicated that the facility could begin operations by August, following a recent contract signed between ICE and LaSalle to build it on a former military base near Alexandria International Airport, approximately 175 miles northwest of New Orleans. Documentation suggests the center will function primarily as a 72-hour holding area for migrants awaiting deportation.
Repatriation or Coercion? Understanding the Facility’s Purpose
Airport officials characterized the center as a “humanitarian effort” for families undergoing voluntary repatriation. However, advocates argue that many families and unaccompanied minors often feel pressured into returning home due to a lack of understanding regarding their rights and available options. Hennessy claimed that families coming to the facility are doing so voluntarily, emphasizing the premise of family reunification within the deportation context.
Situated adjacent to the country’s largest deportation hub, Alexandria International Airport, the new facility’s positioning is strategic. Data from ICE Flight Monitor reveals over 4,400 immigration flights operated in 2025 at this location. Official planning documents indicate that families and children detained at the facility will remain in the legal custody of ICE, with release contingent upon direct instructions from the agency.
While the facility’s management aims to distance themselves from the terminology associated with imprisonment, officials have instructed contractors to avoid referring to families as prisoners or detainees. Moreover, there are directives against using bars or cages for transportation, and families are permitted to wear their own clothing during the process.
Concerns Raised Over Private Detention Practices
LaSalle Corrections operates several private prisons and federal immigration detention centers throughout the Southern U.S., including a high-security facility in Louisiana. The new ICE storage facility will officially be contracted to the LaSalle Family Foundation, which provides chaplaincy and educational services in correctional settings. However, the LaSalle entity will still have a hand in overseeing operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Despite the facility’s anticipated opening under the management of LaSalle, notable concerns have arisen. Two detainee deaths at LaSalle-run ICE facilities since April raise serious questions about safety and care. Additionally, an inspection in June found significant shortcomings at one of LaSalle’s facilities, including violations related to environmental health and safety standards, food service, and medical care oversight.
