As ICE readies Louisiana facility for children and families, faith leaders hold vigil

Faith leaders and community activists held a vigil on Thursday, Oct. 1, at the England Airpark site in Alexandria, Louisiana, to protest the imminent opening of a federal immigration detention facility. Approximately 40 people gathered at the fenced barracks and trailers to march and pray against the use of the site to hold immigrant families and unaccompanied children awaiting deportation.

The 528-bed facility, located next to Alexandria International Airport, will be privately run. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated the site will serve as a temporary holding center for families waiting for deportation flights or transfers to other detention centers.

During the vigil, Rev. Robin Tanner, president of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, led a prayer and expressed grief over the disruption detention causes to childhood milestones such as school, family meals, and play. Participants at the event described the facility as an acceleration of the current administration's mass deportation efforts.