BATAVIA, N.Y. — A new federal detention facility is coming to Batavia.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told News10NBC’s Buffalo affiliate the new facility is a direct response to a New York State law blocking counties from housing ICE detainees.
The new facility will be built on the same property as the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility and will add around 100 beds.
It’s unclear when it will be finished as the department did not provide a timeline.
Detention facility in Rochester
In May, DHS told lawmakers construction would start on ICE detention holding cells in the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building in downtown Rochester.
RELATED: ICE detention facility construction to start soon in downtown Rochester, officials react (May 15)
The U.S. General Services Administration told us the federal building was approved for this purpose five years ago. The GSA calls the plan a cost-saving measure, saying it will let Border Patrol end the lease for its current location on Pattonwood Drive in Irondequoit.
MORE RELATED STORIES:
- Construction to install an ICE detention center in Rochester sparks conversation from local residents and officials (May 16)
- New York lawmakers and others respond to plan to put Border Patrol detention center in Rochester (Feb. 27)
- Protesters voice concerns over proposed Border Patrol detention center and refugee’s death (March 2)
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