ICE to open new detention center in Colorado as agency ramps up illegal immigration arrests

The new 1,250-bed facility will open in Hudson, approximately 30 miles north of Denver, at a former state prison operated by the GEO Group, which closed in 2014. The GEO Group is one of two major private prison companies used by ICE to manage its detention centers.

The federal immigration agency told FOX 31 that it has run out of room at its 1,360-bed processing center in Aurora, Colorado, resulting in the need for a new facility as ICE agents increase arrests in the sanctuary state. The former Hudson Correctional Facility was one of six sites offered to ICE earlier this year, according to a records request obtained by the ACLU, and is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

ICE had been looking to add roughly 1,000 beds in the location of the Denver Field Office, which operates in both Colorado and Wyoming. ICE has not confirmed its new Hudson location, but US representatives were reportedly told about the matter earlier this week during a site visit to the Aurora facility, according to the Denver Post.

An ICE spokesperson issued the following statement to KDVR: "US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's enhanced enforcement operations and routine daily operations have resulted in a significant number of arrests of criminal aliens that require greater detention capacity. While we cannot confirm individual pre-decisional conversations, we can confirm that ICE is exploring all options to meet its current and future detention requirements."

State records show that the Hudson facility was more than 300,000 square feet inside its buildings, which were built on 50 acres in 2009. Before closing in 2014, the detention center had at least four housing units, as well as medical and administrative buildings.

Members of the public can report immigration-related crimes or suspicious activity by calling (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.