ICE seeks 5,500 more migrant detention beds in Miami, other US cities

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is initiating a process to add at least 5,500 detention beds in Miami, Denver, Seattle, and Philadelphia. The agency published a public tender on the official U.S. government portal, SAM.gov, detailing the requirement for contractors to provide these spaces within 30 days of agreement. The planned capacity includes a minimum of 1,800 beds in Philadelphia, 1,500 in Denver, 1,500 in Seattle, and 700 in Miami, intended for both male and female migrants in ICE custody.

ICE prioritizes turnkey facilities, meaning ready-to-use infrastructure, to expedite the transfer of detainees. However, the agency also considers buildings needing renovation or new construction projects. The tender specifies that selected contractors must offer accommodation, medical and mental health services, transportation, custody, food, and detention services for individuals in ICE's care. High-security centers exclusively for ICE use are preferred.

This infrastructure expansion comes in response to a record number of arrests in June, with over 43,000 individuals apprehended by ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This figure marks the highest peak during Donald Trump's second administration. According to estimates from Syracuse University's TRAC-Immigration research center, the detained migrant population now exceeds 65,000 across ICE and CBP facilities, a 65% increase from approximately 39,000 detainees at the start of 2025. To manage this volume as part of its mass deportation plan, the federal administration has expanded contracts with private prison companies and utilized temporary sites.

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The proposed locations and contractor operators must be able to provide accommodation, medical and mental health services, transportation, custody services, food service, and detention services for individuals in ICE custody.