Plans for Elkhart County ICE detention facility submitted

Documents have officially been filed in another step towards the construction of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Elkhart County.

Private prison company CoreCivic submitted its detailed plan to the Elkhart County Planning Commission Monday. The company wants to build the ICE facility south of Elkhart on County Road 7 at the cost of $100 million.

The South Bend Tribune reports that, before they can break ground, approval is still needed from not just the Elkhart County Commissioners, but from ICE themselves. Since the first reveal of the idea in mid-November, the facility has been met with staunch opposition from immigrants and their advocates.

The facility would be 250,000 square foot, with over 1,150 beds and an 88-bed “special management unit”.

The county plan commission will discuss the plan on Jan. 11.

RELATED: Prison company eyes site for ICE detention center