Press ReleaseUrgent2026-09-21

Tonko Demands Answers on Buffalo Detention Center Expansion

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This press release from Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) was published on 2026-09-21 and titled "Tonko Demands Answers on Buffalo Detention Center Expansion".

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Tonko Demands Answers on Buffalo Detention Center Expansion

WASHINGTON, DC — In a follow-up to his August visit to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko today is demanding answers and transparency on facility operations, namely on the facility expansion announced earlier this year. The first letter — sent to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, as well as the Acting Director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Acting Field Director for the Buffalo facility — requests answers on facility practices as well as the planned construction of the new 100-bed facility. The second letter — sent to Akima Infrastructure Protection, LLC, the construction company that received the federal contract for overseeing the facility expansion — asks for details on the construction and other information. Federal records show that ICE awarded the contract for construction just one day after public notice, a clear violation of the statutorily required minimum of 15 days of public notice for federal contracts. “In July 2026, ICE announced that it would be constructing a 100-bed facility to expand the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility,” the first letter reads. “ICE intends to use taxpayer dollars for this expansion and says that it will operate “in accordance with applicable National Detention Standards,” yet ICE has failed to answer basic questions about what this expansion might look like, estimated construction timelines, and who would be housed in such an expansion. During my visit to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, I followed up for further detail on these questions and was extremely disappointed by the lack of transparency and detail in the responses I received.” The letter continues, “This expansion is especially concerning given the conditions that have been alleged by current and former detainees, including many of my constituents, at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. Detainees have alleged overcrowding, issues with accessing medical care in a timely fashion, and excessive use of solitary confinement as punishment.” “As an agency, your practices and standards, as well as the behavior and actions of your employees, have been appalling. For the safety of our communities and my constituents, I demand that you take immediate action to correct the horrific and dehumanizing behavior that your employees have exhibited and pause the plans for this expansion.” The full letter to Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Acting Director Venturella, and Acting Director Kurzdorfer can be read HERE and below. The letter to Akima Infrastructure Protection President, Laura Mitchell can be read HERE . Dear Secretary Mullin, Acting Director Venturella, and Acting Director Kurzdorfer: I am writing today to follow up after my visit to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, New York, on August 3, 2026. My visit to this facility came amid increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and arrests in New York’s Capital Region, as well as across the country, and after I was illegally denied entry to this same facility in August 2025. In July 2026, ICE announced that it would be constructing a 100-bed facility to expand the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. ICE intends to use taxpayer dollars for this expansion and says that it will operate “in accordance with applicable National Detention Standards,” yet ICE has failed to answer basic questions about what this expansion might look like, estimated construction timelines, and who would be housed in such an expansion. During my visit to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, I followed up for further detail on these questions and was extremely disappointed by the lack of transparency and detail in the responses I received. Now, federal records show that after just a single day of public notice, ICE awarded a contract for the construction and operation of the expansion of this facility, a decision that was made in clear violation of the statutorily required minimum of 15 days of public notice for federal contracts. I am following up to demand proper and substantive responses to my questions below and requesting that you send my office all records related to the decision to construct the facility, including official memos, cost estimates, and communications with any contractors. 1. What is the full construction timeline for this expansion? 2. Have you completed the environmental review for this planned expansion? 3. What does “hard-sided” mean? Will these structures be able to safely house detainees during a Buffalo winter? If yes, provide relevant data to back this assertion. Does the facility have an emergency winterization plan? 4. Will the facility be for temporary or permanent lodging of detained individuals? What is the expected sleeping arrangement? Will detainees be provided individual sleeping quarters? Will the bathrooms in the facility have running water? Will this facility be equipped with air conditioning and heating? 5. Does ICE pla

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Tonko Demands Answers on Buffalo Detention Center Expansion WASHINGTON, DC — In a follow-up to his August visit to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko today is demanding answers and transparency on facility operations, namely on the facility expansion announced earlier this year. The first letter — sent to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, as well as the Acting Director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Acting Field Director for the Buffalo facility — requests answers on facility practices as well as the planned construction of the new 100-bed facility. The second letter — sent to Akima Infrastructure Protection, LLC, the construction company that received the federal contract for overseeing the facility expansion — asks for details on the construction and other information. Federal records show that ICE awarded the contract for construction just one day after public notice, a clear violation of the statutorily required minimum of 15 days of public notice for federal contracts. “In July 2026, ICE announced that it would be constructing a 100-bed facility to expand the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility,” the first letter reads. “ICE intends to use taxpayer dollars for this expansion and says that it will operate “in accordance with applicable National Detention Standards,” yet ICE has failed to answer basic questions about what this expansion might look like, estimated construction timelines, and who would be housed in such an expansion. During my visit to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, I followed up for further detail on these questions and was extremely disappointed by the lack of transparency and detail in the responses I received.” The letter continues, “This expansion is especially concerning given the conditions that have been alleged by current and former detainees, including many of my constituents, at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. Detainees have alleged overcrowding, issues with accessing medical care in a timely fashion, and excessive use of solitary confinement as punishment.” “As an agency, your practices and standards, as well as the behavior and actions of your employees, have been appalling. For the safety of our communities and my constituents, I demand that you take immediate action to correct the horrific and dehumanizing behavior that your employees have exhibited and pause the plans for this expansion.” The full letter to Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Acting Director Venturella, and Acting Director Kurzdorfer can be read HERE and below. The letter to Akima Infrastructure Protection President, Laura Mitchell can be read HERE . Dear Secretary Mullin, Acting Director Venturella, and Acting Director Kurzdorfer: I am writing today to follow up after my visit to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, New York, on August 3, 2026. My visit to this facility came amid increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and arrests in New York’s Capital Region, as well as across the country, and after I was illegally denied entry to this same facility in August 2025. In July 2026, ICE announced that it would be constructing a 100-bed facility to expand the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. ICE intends to use taxpayer dollars for this expansion and says that it will operate “in accordance with applicable National Detention Standards,” yet ICE has failed to answer basic questions about what this expansion might look like, estimated construction timelines, and who would be housed in such an expansion. During my visit to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, I followed up for further detail on these questions and was extremely disappointed by the lack of transparency and detail in the responses I received. Now, federal records show that after just a single day of public notice, ICE awarded a contract for the construction and operation of the expansion of this facility, a decision that was made in clear violation of the statutorily required minimum of 15 days of public notice for federal contracts. I am following up to demand proper and substantive responses to my questions below and requesting that you send my office all records related to the decision to construct the facility, including official memos, cost estimates, and communications with any contractors. 1. What is the full construction timeline for this expansion? 2. Have you completed the environmental review for this planned expansion? 3. What does “hard-sided” mean? Will these structures be able to safely house detainees during a Buffalo winter? If yes, provide relevant data to back this assertion. Does the facility have an emergency winterization plan? 4. Will the facility be for temporary or permanent lodging of detained individuals? What is the expected sleeping arrangement? Will detainees be provided individual sleeping quarters? Will the bathrooms in the facility have running water? Will this facility be equipped with air conditioning and heating? 5. Does ICE pla