Readout of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement visit Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Patrick J. Lechleitner traveled to Pennsylvania this week to tour the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. Director Lechleitner also met with Homeland Security Investigations special agents and Enforcement and Removal Operations officers in Allentown in a townhall.

The ability for the agency to remove individuals to their home countries, detain those who require detention and are a public safety threat is directly dependent on location and availability of detention space. ICE continues to modernize the immigration system and realize cost efficiencies across the operational landscape while continuing to work with DHS leadership and Congress to secure resources while continually adjusting its national detention system based on operational needs. The agency is committed to the health, safety, and welfare of all those in custody and each facility must maintain compliance with national detention standards.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a dedicated intergovernmental service agreement with Clearfield County, PA and the facility is operated by the GEO Group, a valued partner in the immigration detention space. The use of private detention contractors is a vital piece of the national detention system enabling ICE to execute its mission.