Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced intentions to expand its detention capacity to 92,600 beds as part of a broader strategy to implement mass deportations. This initiative is detailed in an internal memo from February 13, 2026, which outlines plans for eight mega-centers designed to house up to 10,000 detainees each, scheduled to be operational by November 30, 2026. The funding for this extensive program is proposed to come from congressional allocations under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."

In addition to the mega-centers, ICE's revamp includes establishing 16 regional processing sites that will accommodate between 1,000 and 1,500 detainees for shorter stays of three to seven days. Additionally, the strategy encompasses the acquisition of ten current "turnkey" facilities where ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations are already in practice. This redesign is part of a larger effort to streamline and centralize detention operations across the country.

The implications of this extensive plan resonate deeply within the immigration debate in the United States. By significantly increasing the capacity for detainment, ICE is positioning itself to aggressively carry out deportation orders, which may lead to heightened tensions among immigrant communities and renewed discussions around immigration policies nationwide. Critics argue that such expansions could undermine the human rights of detainees, raising significant ethical concerns about the treatment of migrants in the United States.