Halt the Use of Camp Atterbury for Immigrant Detention

The decision to use Indiana’s Camp Atterbury as a temporary site for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees raises several questions and concerns. U.S. Representative André Carson, a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, states that the prospect of repurposing Camp Atterbury for migrant detention raises "significant issues" that warrant thorough examination, particularly concerning negative impacts on our national security and military readiness. Camp Atterbury has historically served as a vital training base for the Indiana National Guard. The use of military bases for mass detention raises significant humanitarian and legal concerns. Representative Carson expressed being "especially troubled by reports of due process violations at other ICE detention sites" and flagged general concerns about legal rights and humane treatment. Chris Daley, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana, stated that "this kind of mass detention always results in significant rights abuses for the people being detained" and voiced serious concern for the "dignity and safety" of individuals who may be held at Camp Atterbury. It is crucial to note that Camp Atterbury has never been used for immigration detainees held under enforcement authority. A surge in ICE detention, which has approached 50,000 people nationwide, is far above the 41,500 beds funded by Congress. Prolonged detention can violate civil liberties and strain local infrastructure. The federal government is already paying local Hoosier jails, such as Marion County Jail and Clay County Jail, for housing ICE detainees, and while using Camp Atterbury might save money, the priority must be on humane and just solutions. Reconsider and reverse the decision to use Camp Atterbury for immigrant detention. Ensure Camp Atterbury remains solely dedicated to its critical military training and readiness functions for the Indiana National Guard. Prioritize and uphold the legal rights, due process, and humane treatment of all individuals in any immigration proceedings. Seek comprehensive, humane, and transparent solutions to immigration management challenges that do not compromise civil liberties or military effectiveness.