US immigration authorities plan to sharply expand detention capacity by the end of 2026, allocating $38 billion to acquire and renovate facilities, according to newly released government documents.
The plan would raise Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) bed capacity to about 92,600 as the agency anticipates increased enforcement operations and arrests in 2026.
"This new model will allow ICE to create an efficient detention network by reducing the total number of contracted detention facilities in use while increasing total bed capacity, enhancing custody management, and streamlining removal operations," the document titled "ICE Detention Reengineering Initiative" read, as cited by Reuters.
ICE intends to purchase 16 existing buildings and convert them into regional processing centres capable of holding between 1,000 and 1,500 detainees each, with average stays of three to seven days, the documents said.
The agency also plans to open eight large detention centres capable of holding between 7,000 and 10,000 detainees for an average stay of around 60 days, which will serve as the “primary location” for immigrants being deported abroad.
In addition, ICE plans to acquire 10 more “turnkey” facilities where it already operates, according to the plan.
ICE aims to have the new facilities operational by November 30.
ICE plans to hire contractors to renovate the buildings to create detention spaces, including medical and dental facilities, cafeterias, lobbies, recreational areas, dormitories and courtroom spaces, according to the documents. The facilities are intended to ensure the “safe and humane civil detention of aliens,” the plan said.
The detention centres will be funded through a major spending package passed by the Republican-controlled Congress in July 2025.
The legislation, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” allocated $170 billion for immigration enforcement, including $45 billion for detention. By comparison, the 2024 fiscal year budget included $3.4 billion for immigration detention.
ICE held about 40,000 people in detention when Trump took office, with the population increasing since then amid reports of overcrowding.
Despite political headwinds ahead of next year’s midterms, the Trump administration is moving to intensify immigration enforcement this year.
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