DHS Pauses New Immigrant Warehouse Purchases Amid Review Of Noem-era Contracts

Homeland Security is pausing plans to buy new warehouses for immigrant detention as it reviews contracts signed under former secretary Kristi Noem. A senior Homeland Security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, told the Associated Press that the department is also rechecking warehouse deals it has already made. The news comes just a week after Sen. Markwayne Mullin took over the department from Noem. Mullin inherits a big push to expand detention space. But the plan to buy large-scale facilities to house immigrants drew sharp local backlash. Communities raised moral concerns and worries about the strain on the sewer and water systems. Homeland Security has bought 11 warehouses so far.