HUDSON, Colo. (KDVR) A new immigration detention center will open in Colorado as President Donald Trump strengthens his immigration enforcement plan.
The new facility will open in Hudson, about 30 miles northeast of Denver, at a state prison that is currently closed. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tells FOX31 it has run out of room in the Aurora detention center after making more arrests so far this fiscal year than in all of 2024.
The 1,250-bed facility in Hudson was privately owned and closed in 2014. It was operated by the GEO Group, which also runs ICE’s Aurora detention facility.
Hudson has approximately 1,600 residents. affiliate KDVR spoke with some who fully support the use of the closed prison as an ICE facility.
“If they can use it for something good, then I’m good with that,” said one resident.
Others say they do not want to have an immigration detention facility near their homes.
“Really unbelievable, I mean, I wouldn’t think that in my town, where I grew up, that this would happen,” said one resident.
Those who support the use of the closed prison say ICE should utilize any resources that are available.
“It’s a good idea because a lot of them are criminals, and if you’re here, we don’t need you here,” said one resident.
An ICE spokesperson issued the following statement to KDVR.
“U.S. 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.”
ICE Spokesperson
U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen was informed about the new facility plans in Hudson on Monday during her visit to the ICE facility in Aurora. Pettersen provided the following statement to KDVR.
“It’s terrifying that the hundreds of billions of dollars dedicated to ICE and their unlawful actions are going to be more widespread and impact Colorado.
They’re already terrorizing immigrant communities and it’s going to get even worse. That means more people not showing up for work, more kids not showing up to school and being left behind, and huge consequences for our economy. There isn’t a person who doesn’t support making sure there is a process in place to deport convicted violent criminals but that’s not what they’re doing. They’re overwhelmingly targeting people without any criminal history. These are people who’ve lived here for years, have families, and are vital to our state and economy. What’s happening is unlawful, unconstitutional, and disgraceful.”
U.S. Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen
The facility is expected to open by the end of the year.
