U.S. Representative André Carson (D-IN-07) has formally requested detailed information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding reports that Camp Atterbury, a military training facility in Indiana, may be repurposed to detain migrants amid escalating federal deportation efforts.
In a letter sent on June 4 to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Carson expressed deep concern over the potential shift in Camp Atterbury’s use, citing implications for national security, military readiness and detainee rights. He emphasized that the facility has historically served as a training base for the Indiana National Guard and has been a vital part of the state’s military infrastructure. Carson highlighted ethical and legal issues, referencing reports of due process violations in immigration detention centers nationwide.
The inquiry follows recent reports that DHS is evaluating Camp Atterbury as a temporary holding site to alleviate capacity strains in the nation’s immigration detention system. A DHS spokesperson confirmed that the agency is “exploring all options” to address increasing nationwide deportation efforts and a growing scarcity of detention space.
Carson’s letter poses several questions to DHS, seeking confirmation of any plans to use Camp Atterbury for detaining migrants, details on the legal frameworks governing such detention, intended capacity, measures to ensure humane conditions and legal representation, funding adequacy, community engagement strategies, oversight mechanisms and the impact on military training operations. He has requested responses by June 13.
Camp Atterbury, located approximately 30 miles south of Indianapolis, has previously been used to house Afghan evacuees and Ukrainian refugees but has not served as an immigration detention center under enforcement authority. The facility’s infrastructure includes dormitory-style housing and barracks, which could accommodate large-scale operations.
The potential repurposing of Camp Atterbury comes amid the Trump administration’s initiative to conduct the “largest deportation operation in American history,” aiming to deport millions of individuals. This has led to increased pressure on existing detention facilities, prompting DHS to consider alternative sites.
As of Wednesday evening, DHS had not publicly responded to Carson’s letter.
For more information, visit carson.house.gov.Top of Form
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
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