What It Means To Have An ICE Detention Center In Your Backyard

What It Means To Have An ICE Detention Center In Your Backyard

From 1A by NPR

April 21, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of having ICE detention centers in local communities across the U.S.

Towns across the U.S. are now grappling with what it means to have ICE detention centers in their backyard — even communities that overwhelmingly voted for President Donald Trump and support his deportation efforts. Last week, hundreds of protestors showed up outside a Maryland courtroom while a federal judge temporarily blocked the construction of a detention center in the state. That pause will remain in place as a lawsuit from the the state’s attorney general plays out. And last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro blocked ICE’s access to water and sewage systems in two different counties where warehouses were bought. Local leaders argue these warehouses would overwhelm city resources. So, what are conditions like in these facilities? And what does the future hold for this new wave of detention centers? Find more of our programs online . Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Topics covered

  • ICE detention centers
  • community response
  • legal challenges
  • local government actions
  • immigration policy

Keywords

  • ICE
  • detention centers
  • protests
  • local government
  • immigration
  • Donald Trump
  • Josh Shapiro

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ICE

Places: Maryland, Pennsylvania

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