The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that a notorious Louisiana prison will be used to detain immigration offenders, a move aimed at encouraging undocumented individuals in the United States to self-deport. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed this decision on Wednesday while addressing reporters on the grounds of the facility, known as Angola, highlighting its infamous reputation as a factor in the choice.
Noem described the detainees to be held at this facility as the “worst of the worst,” referring to them as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees. As of now, 51 detainees are already housed at Angola, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry projecting the facility will reach its capacity of over 400 individuals in the coming months. This expansion is part of President Donald Trump’s broader initiative to increase deportations of undocumented immigrants.
The Angola prison, situated in a rural part of Louisiana, is surrounded by extensive security measures, including a fence topped with multiple rows of barbed wire. During a tour of the facility, reporters were shown the single-occupancy cells, which contain basic amenities such as a bed, toilet, and sink. Outside, confined areas for detainees are enclosed by chain-link fencing.
“If you don’t think that they belong in somewhere like this,” Landry stated during the press conference, “you’ve got a problem.” The building designated for ICE detainees is not new but has been refurbished after being vacant for years. Angola is a sprawling facility with a long and complex history, currently housing more than 6,300 inmates, many of whom work on prison farms under armed supervision.
Historical Context of Angola Prison
The Angola prison’s history stretches back over a century. Originally established as a plantation, it has been criticized for its violent past, earning the label of “the bloodiest prison in America” during the 1960s and 1970s. The prison has witnessed numerous incidents of violence, riots, and inhumane conditions, alongside carrying out executions, the most recent of which occurred in March using nitrogen gas.
The facility’s infamous nature has been leveraged by the Trump administration to reinforce a stringent immigration policy. This strategy includes the establishment of various detention centers across the country, such as the recently criticized “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida. With a federal budget of approximately $45 billion dedicated to expanding immigration detention centers, the Angola facility is just one piece of a larger effort to detain over 100,000 individuals.
Controversy and Implications
The decision to utilize Angola for immigration detainees has sparked debate over the treatment of undocumented individuals in the U.S. Critics argue that the choice of a facility with such a violent history sends a troubling message about the treatment of these individuals. The historical significance of Angola, which transitioned from a plantation to a prison, highlights a legacy of racial injustice, as many of its early inmates were black individuals leased out to work on farms.
As the federal government races to increase its immigration enforcement infrastructure, including new facilities such as the “Speedway Slammer” in Indiana and the “Cornhusker Clink” in Nebraska, the implications of housing detainees in a prison with Angola’s background raise serious ethical questions about the treatment and rights of individuals facing deportation.
Overall, the selection of Angola prison for immigration detention illustrates the complex intersection of immigration policy, historical context, and public perception in the United States today.
