After sparking heated arguments, a proposed detention center for undocumented immigrants in Schuylkill County may be discarded.

According to a report published in The New York Times, the Department of Homeland Security has abandoned plans to turn seven warehouses into detention centers, including one in Tremont Township and another in Bern Township, Berks County.

Asked for further information, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responded with a prepared statement issued to multiple news outlets.

The statement, with the word “existing” in capital letters, suggests ICE would continue to use already established detention facilities as opposed to developing new ones.

“From day one, DHS has remained singularly focused on removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the United States and is always evaluating the best methods to do so. These heinous criminals, once arrested, should be removed at lightning speed, not housed on American soil at the taxpayer’s expense. DHS is moving swiftly to utilize EXISTING detention space with our state and county partners.”

DHS bought the Tremont Township property, a 1.3-million-square-foot former Big Lots warehouse, in January for $119 million.

The plans called for the renovated building to house 7,500 people in addition to 2,500 employees.

The proposal quickly drew fierce opposition, with Tremont residents pointing out that their nearby town of about 4,000 people was already struggling with an aging sewage infrastructure and a limited water supply.

The state Department of Environmental Protection in March issued orders to halt the plan until DHS/ICE provided written proof the facility would not impact water sources and that sewage would be safely disposed of.

County commissioners also insisted that, among other requirements, DHS/ICE provide payments in lieu of the property taxes that were lost when the building transferred from private to government ownership.

Congressman Dan Meuser, R-9, has been the liaison between the county and DHS.

He had this to say about the proposed change.

“Upon learning of the purchase, I along with the Schuylkill and Berks county commissioners, met with DHS officials. We engaged in due diligence of what would be necessary to make the facilities operable and address community concerns. This due diligence, and I give much credit to the county commissioners, was taken very seriously by DHS officials, and therefore, DHS is perhaps considering reevaluating the initial plan.

He added: “Should the initial plan move forward, we secured favorable commitments from DHS that would be beneficial to our community. Nevertheless, in an effort to fully cooperate, DHS is engaged in their own evaluation of the sites being developed.

“I remain in close contact with Secretary (Markwayne) Mullin and look forward to providing a full update once a decision is made and we have details on how this will impact our community.”