The Department of Homeland Security is interested in purchasing property along Highway 109, Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell said Friday.
Bell said he spoke with senior counsel for the Department of Homeland Security who confirmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement is interested in property along Highway 109 south of the I-40 interchange within the city limits. The site could be used for an immigrant detention facility.
Bell’s comments came after a week of confusion and community pushback regarding a potential ICE facility in Wilson County. ICE initially announced it would bring an immigration detention center to the county, but later retracted the statement. Reportedly ICE also has interest in a site in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, causing more confusion.
“They are in the due diligence phase of a feasibility study. They have not contacted anyone with the City of Lebanon Utilities or Engineering Departments,” Bell said…