U.S. Rep. André Carson (IN-07) is raising concerns about the federal government’s decision to use Camp Atterbury to detain immigrants in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Carson issued a statement criticizing the move and demanding greater transparency and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“In May of this year, I formally requested confirmation of reports that Camp Atterbury in my home state would be used for ICE detainment,” Carson said. “Earlier this week, I finally received confirmation of the plan. Unfortunately, the Department of Homeland Security’s response did not include answers to my detailed questions about the impact on our nation’s military readiness and national security.”
Camp Atterbury, located about 40 miles south of Indianapolis in Johnson County, is a training site used by the Indiana National Guard that has previously been used for temporary housing of refugees, including Afghan evacuees in 2021. According to DHS and ICE documents, the facility is now expected to supplement national detention capacity due to increased ICE arrests and longer detention times, especially under the Trump administration’s expanded enforcement policies.
Carson expressed alarm over the nationwide trend of rising immigrant detentions and deaths in custody.
According to a 2020 report from the American Civil Liberties Union, ICE detention-related deaths rose significantly during the Trump administration, with at least 21 deaths reported in fiscal 2020 alone, the highest annual number since 2005. Investigations by independent watchdogs and media outlets have documented poor conditions, lack of medical care and abuse at several ICE detention centers.
“I remain concerned on this use of Camp Atterbury given the deplorable and inhumane conditions at other ICE detention facilities nationwide,” Carson said. “The number of ICE detainees — and the number of deaths in detention — have grown at alarmingly high rates since the start of President Trump’s term, which is unacceptable. Also unacceptable is the apprehension and detention of U.S. citizens. The Hoosier state should not facilitate these unlawful actions.”
Carson also criticized the expansion of detention practices, which have included holding individuals for civil immigration violations, often without criminal charges.
In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General reported overcrowding and prolonged detention at multiple ICE facilities. Civil rights groups have also filed lawsuits alleging racial profiling and due process violations, especially in cases involving long-term residents and asylum seekers.
“ICE is ripping families apart for offenses as minor as traffic tickets, and others are detained without having committed any crime at all,” Carson said. “The fact that ICE has detained so many individuals that they now need to expand detention space in Indiana is disturbing. Without due process, anyone and everyone is at risk, including U.S. citizens.”
He described those being targeted as “largely nonviolent, law-abiding and taxpaying individuals who came to our country for a better life” and condemned the use of what he called “indiscriminate sweeps, racial profiling and mass detainments.”
Carson said he will continue to monitor activities at Camp Atterbury and advocate for humane treatment, due process, and a rollback of what he called “unlawful, cruel policies.”
“This is a dark time for our nation,” Carson said. “I will continue fighting these unlawful, cruel policies and will actively monitor activities at Camp Atterbury to ensure humane and sanitary conditions.”
To read Carson’s full statement, visit carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carson-statement-use-camp-atterbury-ice-detainment.
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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