Advocacy Group Prepares Lawsuit Against Immigrant Detention Center in Utah
Drawing inspiration from opponents of a proposed immigrant detention center near Hagerstown, Maryland, a new advocacy group in Utah is gearing up to file a lawsuit aiming to block a similar facility in Salt Lake City.
Uproar Utah Moves Forward with Legal Action
Uproar Utah unveiled its plans on Tuesday, just a day after Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County announced their own legal efforts against the proposed mega-detention center, which has the capacity to house up to 10,000 individuals.
Focus on Environmental and Legal Violations
The lawsuits filed by the city and county mainly allege that the federal government has neglected key requirements in planning and conducting environmental reviews as it implements President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Advocacy organizations within the Utah Refugee Justice Alliance are also raising similar concerns while spotlighting issues of fairness and due process for individuals who could be detained in the planned 830,000-square-foot facility.
Human Rights Concerns Raised
Brent Ward, a former federal prosecutor in Utah, expressed serious concerns about the human implications of the detention center. He stated that it is impossible to uphold human dignity for “10,000 men, women, and children crammed into a warehouse prison,” emphasizing that such conditions contradict Utah’s core values.
Seeking Additional Plaintiffs in the Lawsuit
Uproar Utah has communicated its intent to sue the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and is actively looking for more plaintiffs, including Utah residents currently in ICE custody. Ward aims to support and enhance the lawsuit led by the city and county while keeping in touch with the attorneys managing that case.
Recent Developments in Maryland’s Detention Center Controversy
A federal judge recently paused construction on a detention center in Washington County, Maryland, citing environmental issues. Judge Brendan Herson ruled that while ICE could continue limited modifications, significant construction work must halt. This decision followed a lawsuit from Maryland’s Democratic Attorney General Anthony Brown, aimed at halting the project.
DHS and ICE Face Allegations of Regulatory Negligence
Allegations against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE include a complete disregard for the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. Advocacy groups have raised alarms regarding disease transmission and medical care standards at ICE facilities. This scrutiny comes on the heels of ICE’s $145.4 million property purchase in Salt Lake City, one of its largest transactions, made shortly after the termination of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Community Voices Oppose the Proposed Facility
During a recent press conference, Marie Cornwall, executive director of Uproar Utah and former sociology professor, noted the valuable insights gained from Maryland’s opponents. Liliana Bolaños, affiliated with Mormon Women for Ethical Government, also spoke out against the facility, sharing her personal immigration story and condemning the detention center as inhumane. She emphasized that the challenges faced by countless Utah families highlight systemic issues rather than flaws within the system itself.
Legal Timelines Remain Uncertain
Details regarding the timeline for filing the lawsuit have not been disclosed by the legal team, leaving many questions unanswered as efforts to block the proposed detention center ramp up.
