DHS is exploring options to establish immigrant detention camps in foreign nations

Two weeks ago, on July 8, the Department of Homeland Security posted a pre-solicitation notice on SAM.gov, the official U.S. government website for federal contracting and award information. The entry is categorized as “sources sought” and is essentially market research; the government is gathering information before deciding whether to solicit proposals.

The main content of the posting, titled “Aircraft Operations Support and Maintenance,” concerns DHS exploring the idea of finding a contractor to “provide flight operations, maintenance, and contractor logistics support for a fleet of aircraft utilized to support removal operations.” However, within the draft statement of work (SOW) are hidden references to “international staging areas” with “up to 1,000 bed[s]”. The federal government, in other words, is looking for a contractor that can both manage a fleet of deportation aircraft and operate some kind of detention camp in foreign countries.

• A PDF of the draft SOW can be found here
• To download the original file, scroll down the SAM.gov page to the Attachments section. The document referenced in this post is titled “SOW_Draft_OSAMS_for+RFI+Posting”. The abbreviations in the title stand for: “Statement of Work,” “Operational Support for Aircraft Maintenance and Services,” and “Request for Information.”
• Credit to Charles R. Davis (@charliearchy on Bluesky) for flagging the SAM posting

The relevant portions

Task 5.2.3 of the draft SOW outlines that the chosen company would be expected to “establish international staging facilities within host nations.”

Task 5.2.3: Provide solutions for establishing international staging facilities within designated international host nations:

The Contractor shall provide solutions to establish international staging at designated locations within host nations. The international staging areas (ISAs) are dependent upon diplomatic relations with host nations. ISAs may be up to 1,000 bed facilities with wrap around services which may include: power, water, sanitation, food service, security, and manpower and able to support various demographics. The Contractor shall provide a project plan outlining materials, project timelines, coordination with host government and services being provided. ISAs shall be leveraged to facilitate the return/removal actions for the enrolled illegal alien in the host government’s care and custody.

Section 2.2.6, titled “Program Management," appears to suggest that the prospective future contract would be part of the Trump administration’s Third Country Removals:

Provide support to the [foreign] Government to accept U.S. removals and operational transportation support to facilitate onward movement of removal

In another section of the SOW, DHS refers to “detention facilities.” It is unclear whether these are the same as the “international staging areas” in foreign countries or detention facilities located in the U.S.:

3.5 Emergency, Natural Disasters, and Other Occurrences

In the event of an emergency, natural disaster, or other occurrence that renders a detention facility, or facilities, to be inaccessible or unoccupied by detainees for a period of time greater than forty-eight (48) hours, Contractor personnel scheduled to inspect that facility may be requested to perform inspection services at another facility, or facilities, at the discretion of the Government. One (1) occurrence rendering a detention facility inaccessible or unoccupied by detainees could be, but not limited to, a health or safety issue.

Finally, the SOW mentions that DHS employees would be “embedded” in the foreign countries set to detain immigrants:

Provide logistical/administrative support for embedded DHS Technical and Advisory Teams (DTATs) engaging with host governments

According to the prospective timeline in the SOW, if the plan moves forward, work on the international detention camps would begin in July 2027.