Overview
- The DHS inspector general is launching an audit of ICE’s detention-space purchases, according to the Wall Street Journal, and the office has not announced the inquiry.
- The audit will review all warehouse acquisitions and extends an ongoing probe into contract awards and the role of political appointees.
- Under former Secretary Kristi Noem, with Corey Lewandowski advising, ICE bought roughly 11 vacant warehouses last winter using new detention expansion funds.
- Price and feasibility concerns mounted as CoStar found ICE paid 11% to 13% above market and judges in New Jersey and Maryland ordered environmental reviews while officials in Arizona and Utah fought site conversions.
- After Noem was fired in March, Secretary Markwayne Mullin suspended the warehouse program, and records show nearly 50 firms have been paid about $1.7 billion, including four with no prior federal contracts.