Congressman Carson Statement on Use of Camp Atterbury for ICE Detainment

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) made the following statement:

“In May of this year, I formally requested confirmation of reports that Camp Atterbury in my home state would be used for ICE detainment. 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.

“I remain concerned on this use of Camp Atterbury given the deplorable and inhumane conditions at other ICE detention facilities nationwide. 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 in unacceptable. Also unacceptable is the apprehension and detention of US citizens. The Hoosier state should not facilitate these unlawful actions.

“ICE is ripping families apart for offenses as minor as traffic tickets, and others are detained without having committed any crime at all. 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 US citizens. These individuals are largely nonviolent, law-abiding, and taxpaying individuals who came to our country for a better life. Indiscriminate sweeps, racial profiling, and mass detainments are wasting our country’s resources on cruel policies that do nothing to help our make our communities safer.

“This is a dark time for our nation. I will continue fighting these unlawful, cruel policies and will actively monitor activities at Camp Atterbury to ensure humane and sanitary conditions.”

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