September 26, 2026 · Immigration, Detention & Civil Rights
· Official action
Developing
ICE Explores 'Mobile Detention Facilities' as Part of Rapid Detention Expansion
NPR reported Sept. 26, 2026 that documents from watchdog group Project Salt Box show ICE is exploring "mobile detention facilities" -- vans holding detainees alongside arresting agents -- amid a rapid detention expansion, the plan found in paperwork on Pennsylvania. Co-founder Michael Wriston said the documents specified no standard for how long someone could be held in a van; ICE did not respond.
The plan emerged as DHS signed over $7 billion in contracts in one week to expand detention in New York, Texas and California, as ICE holds roughly 65,000 people -- about 70% with no criminal conviction -- after arresting nearly 100,000 in July and August.
The mobile-detention concept has not been formally implemented; it is described in planning documents rather than an announced program.
The plan emerged as DHS signed over $7 billion in contracts in one week to expand detention in New York, Texas and California, as ICE holds roughly 65,000 people -- about 70% with no criminal conviction -- after arresting nearly 100,000 in July and August.
The mobile-detention concept has not been formally implemented; it is described in planning documents rather than an announced program.
Sources
- Immigration briefing: ICE eyes mobile detention as Texas agent shooting sparks outcry — NPR (Weekend Edition, via WFDD), 2026-09-26