PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Josh Shapiro is vowing to fight the Trump administration after the Department of Homeland Security bought two warehouses in rural Pennsylvania with plans to turn them into ICE detention centers.
Shapiro said after meeting with county, state and local lawmakers from Berks and Schuylkill counties about federal plans to turn the warehouses into immigration detention centers, elected officials from both parties have serious concerns, including the secrecy behind the purchases.
“They really didn't learn about this until the deeds were filed and the deal was done, and so that rendered them really powerless to stop it,” he said.
Shapiro said, along with human rights issues, there are significant environmental concerns. He said if the Schuylkill County site were built, the surrounding community would run out of water in 24 hours.
“Let me explain what that means to the average homeowner nearby on that system. That means that they literally won't be able to turn on the water in their kitchen and fill up a pot of water. They won't be able to flush the toilet.”
While federal officials said they’ll truck in water and build onsite sewage containment, Shapiro said state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, would have to be involved.
He said while the federal government has broad authority, states have Constitutional protections, and he plans to fight the centers in court.