Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro met this week with local leaders from Berks County and Schuylkill County to address growing concerns over the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) plans to convert two commercial warehouses into large-scale immigration detention centers operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The meeting included state officials and community leaders from both political parties, who have voiced opposition to what they describe as the federal government’s “secret” purchase of the properties and their proposed conversion into facilities that could house thousands of immigration detainees.
According to information released by the governor’s office, a proposed facility in Upper Bern Township in Berks County could hold up to 1,500 people—effectively doubling the township’s population. Local officials warned that such an increase would place significant strain on infrastructure, including the potential production of up to 14 times the legally permitted amount of sewage, which could overwhelm the local treatment plant and water pipeline systems.
In terms of public safety, the area is served by a single volunteer fire department and relies on the Pennsylvania State Police for law enforcement, with only two nearby acute care hospitals. State officials cautioned that such a dramatic population increase could jeopardize emergency response capabilities.
In Schuylkill County, plans call for a detention center in Tremont Township with a reported capacity of up to 7,500 people. Officials warned that the facility could require up to 800,000 gallons of water per day—more than double the system’s current capacity—potentially draining the community reservoir in a single day and leaving residents without water, even in the event of a fire emergency.
Beyond health and safety concerns, the administration highlighted the potential economic impact. In Berks County, the project is estimated to result in more than $800,000 annually in lost property tax revenue, affecting the county, the township, and the local school district. In Schuylkill County, projected losses could exceed $1 million per year.
Governor Shapiro said his administration has already sent letters to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem outlining potential violations of Pennsylvania law and detailing the anticipated harm to local communities. He reiterated that if the federal government moves forward, the state will use “every tool available” to prevent the facilities from opening.
Officials from the state Departments of Health, Environmental Protection, and Labor & Industry also raised concerns about inadequate water, sewer, and fire safety infrastructure to support thousands of individuals in buildings originally designed as commercial warehouses.
Shapiro emphasized that his priority is to protect the health, safety, and resources of Pennsylvania residents and warned that moving ahead without proper planning and compliance with state laws could have serious and lasting consequences for affected communities.