PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The federal government is ending their contract with a detention facility in Berks County.
The Berks County Residential Center (BCRC), operated by ICE, currently houses asylum-seeking women. But, come Jan. 31, 2023, a contract between BCRC and the federal government will end. The future of the building, and those within it, remain unknown, though ICE anticipates the women's cases will be adjudicated in time.
Groups like the “Shut Down Berks Coalition” have pushed for the facility’s closure for nearly eight years through protests, vigils and vocalizing their stance to see it shut down permanently.
Adrianna Torres-Garcia with the Free Migration Project feels the contract’s end is representative of what can happen when people come together and advocate for the same cause.
“We're really ecstatic that this is happening. It means that organizing works and that if we come together collectively as people, we can make things happen and create a more just world for the immigrant community and everyone.”
A woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, was recently released after spending about six months at BCRC and described her time there.
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She said alarms would sound at any time of the day, she was limited on when she could make phone calls, and the water used to shower was scalding hot.
The woman has been enjoying her freedom since leaving the facility, she said.
At this point, it’s unclear how many people, migrants and employees, will be affected, but Berks County officials said in a statement they are committed to doing anything possible to support employees during the transition.
“The decision to let the Berks facility’s contract expire reflects the agency’s current operational requirements and we appreciate our long-standing relationship with the facility and its staff,” said David O’Neill, Acting Field Operations Director for the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations office in Philadelphia in a statement.
“We are proud of the service we provided at Berks County Residential Center and will continue to serve our community with the same professionalism and humanity demonstrated there.”