A U.S. Senator on Tuesday confirmed reports that the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement has decided to get rid of two local warehouses they had bought to turn into detention centers for undocumented immigrants.

“I’m pleased to confirm ICE will not be moving forward with detention facilities in Tremont and Upper Bern townships,” said Sen. John Fetterman, D-PA.

“I appreciate that (DHS) Secretary (Markwayne) Mullin recognized the negative impacts these facilities would have in Pennsylvania, including the direct threat to local economies and infrastructure, and canceled these plans.

“I will continue to work toward solutions with the administration and my Senate colleagues that properly address the broken immigration system while ensuring that our communities and law-abiding migrants are safe and protected,” he said in a prepared release.

According to the release, “Fetterman expressed his opposition to the proposed ICE detention centers in a February letter to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem” and a subsequent April letter to Mullin and urged them to “consider the negative repercussions.”

Fetterman pointed to the lost property tax revenue, and the strain on water, sewage, local electrical grids, emergency medical crews and local police in his opposition, the release said.

It also said Fetterman is a “staunch advocate for a safe and strong immigration system, including prioritizing the deportation of criminal migrants rather than targeting law-abiding migrants who contribute significantly to Pennsylvania’s communities and economy.”

DHS/ICE bought the 1.3-million-square-foot former Big Lots warehouse in Tremont Township, Schuylkill County, in January for $119 million. The plans called for the renovated building to house 7,500 people in addition to 2,500 employees.

The agencies bought the 518,000-square-foot Upper Bern Township, Berks County, warehouse for $87.4 million in early February.

Worried residents have attended the Schuylkill County commissioners meetings to vehemently call for elected officials to oppose the plans.

The residents were angry that the proposed center would deplete water supplies, overwhelm the Tremont sewage system and burden local emergency responders.

Commissioners Chairman Larry L. Padora has repeatedly said he insisted that the federal agencies make payments in lieu of property taxes to the county, Tremont Township and the Pine Grove Area School District.