The Trump administration is considering building an immigration detention facility at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. This proposal is part of a broader effort to expand immigration detention across the country, aiming to use U.S. Department of Defense property to support President Donald Trump’s goal of deporting one million people in his first year in office. Internal government communications obtained by KQED reveal plans to expedite the review process for this facility.
Emails from early April indicate that federal officials are evaluating several military installations, including Travis Air Force Base, for Homeland Security’s immigration detention and removal operations. However, the emails do not specify the scope or design of the proposed detention compound at Travis, nor the number of people it would hold. A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that the agency is exploring options in California to meet current and future detention needs.
The proposal has sparked concern among local officials. East Bay Representative John Garamendi, whose district includes the base, expressed opposition, stating, “Travis Air Force Base is absolutely inappropriate for an immigration detention facility.” He emphasized that such a facility would hinder the base’s critical national security role. LAist reported that Garamendi and other members of Congress have previously opposed using military aircraft from Travis for deportation flights.
Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy also voiced concerns, noting that the facility would strain city resources and likely lead to major protests. She stated, “It costs us millions of dollars in overtime. Unless the federal government wants to send us the money to pay for that, you’re breaking our city.”
The plan to use military bases for ICE detention has raised legal questions, with some arguing it violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in domestic law enforcement. Jehan Laner, a senior staff attorney at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, warned that this move signals a shift toward authoritarianism.
As the administration seeks to expand detention capacity, ICE is currently holding nearly 48,000 immigrants nationwide. Congress recently increased ICE’s detention budget, allowing for an expansion to 54,500 beds. Despite these efforts, the proposal to use Travis Air Force Base remains controversial and faces significant opposition.
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