Commissioners say Berks facility is planned as processing site, not detention; questions for DHS remain

Berks County commissioners said during their Feb. 27 meeting that a contested federal facility in the county has been characterized to them as a processing facility rather than a long‑term detention center, but county officials continue to press federal authorities for details.

Chairman Linebaugh told the board he spoke with Homeland Security and that “the Berks County facility is to be a processing facility, not a detention center.” He outlined two primary categories of concern for county officials: broad local financial impacts (taxes, fire and EMS, sewer and water) and the county’s responsibility to ensure humane treatment and adequate operations inside any facility. He said the county has asked multiple questions of DHS and ICE and has received limited answers to date.

Commissioners Michael Rivera and Dante Santoni echoed that they had no new substantive information to report at the meeting and said they will continue weekly updates. Santoni said county staff are working with federal and state officials and local congressional offices to obtain specifics about how the facility will operate and how local services would be affected.

Linebaugh also described a preliminary plan for sewer service as an on‑site tanked system where septage would be pumped and transported to treatment facilities rather than a package sewage plant on site.

Why it matters: whether the site operates as a short‑term processing facility or a long‑term detention center affects which county services are engaged, who pays for them, and what permits or infrastructure are required.

Next steps: commissioners said they expect another call with federal officials to seek specific answers; the transcript records ongoing concern but not concrete federal commitments.