ICE Plans Family Detention Center at PFAS-Plagued Louisiana Airpark

ICE is pursuing a short-term family detention facility at England Airpark in Louisiana, a site with extreme PFAS groundwater contamination (at least 41 million ppt, about 575,000 times federal drinking-water limits) and other pollutants. Advocates warn of health risks from dust and air exposure to children, while criticizing the plan’s framing as “self-deport.” DHS says no new centers have been announced and the project is in permitting/testing, with potential operation within 60–90 days. The base’s pollution history, including firefighting foam, burn pits, and asbestos concerns, underscores broader cleanup and health questions surrounding the proposal.