MARANA, Ariz. (KGUN) — The future of a former state prison in Marana remains unclear after it was purchased this year for $15 million, though discussions suggest it could become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center.
RELATED | State selling Marana prison for $15 million
Arizona's first private prison in Marana was shut down in 2023. The state sold it back to its original owner, Management and Training Corporation (MTC), this year. MTC confirmed to KGUN 9 in May that this facility would be used for detention purposes, but did not provide specifics.
In October, MTC told KGUN 9 they were exploring opportunities with several public agencies. On Wednesday we asked MTC if there has been any update on the decision and a spokesperson for the company stated, "we still do not have any new information to share."
This uncertainty prompted residents to engage in a second community forum Thursday evening organized by coalition Pima Resists ICE (PRICE) to discuss and educate community members about MTC, their plans — as well as give Marana citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns about the facility's potential use.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Hundreds attend forum regarding possible ICE detention center in Marana
If the facility becomes an ICE detention center, many community members are expressing strong opposition, like Linda Powell.
"I just don't want it near us. I don't wanna see it. I just don't want it to happen," said Powell.
Powell adds that she fears racial profiling will become more prevalent in the area if an ICE facility opens.
"I am so worried about all my brown friends, anybody of color," Powell said.
Bennett Burke, one of the PRICE organizers, expressed similar concerns about targeting based on appearance.
"Targeting people who look more like you than they do like me. And for that reason and that reason alone, we also know that currently, those in detention by ICE, over 70 percent of them have no criminal records," Burke said.
Republican State Sen. John Kavanagh calls these concerns ridiculous.
"This is not a reason to oppose it. This is an excuse which I believe masks the underlying motive of the opponent, which is they don't want immigration enforcement, they want open borders," Sen. Kavanagh said.
Sen. Kavanagh is highly in favor of turning the prison into an immigration detention center. He says right now the empty facility is an eye sore and believes a detention center will benefit the town by adding more jobs and economic development.
"It's already been a detention facility. It's zoned that way, so in any way refuse this would deprive the municipality of economic development and jobs," Sen. Kavanagh said. "And if it was an action by the Town Council, it could subject the taxpayers to a lot of expense because the voters of Arizona overwhelmingly passed the Proposition 207."
READ MORE | State Senator wants to allow ICE to lease currently closed Marana prison
However, Burke disagrees with the economic argument.
"People talk about oh it'll create jobs but those aren't the kind of jobs we want in the community," Burke said.
Sen. Kavanagh has been all in for the prison to transition into an immigration detention center since January.
"I would have concern for the illegal aliens that live around Marana because they might expeditiously be detained for due processing in possible removal," Sen. Kavanagh said. "But for those in Marana who are legal, it'll be good."
A couple hundred people showed up to the forum organized at Tortolita Middle School calling on the town of Marana to protect their neighbors.
Marana Town Manager Terry Rozema told KGUN 9 the Town recognizes that the use of the facility as an ICE detention center is a highly contentious topic and has raised concerns within the community and surrounding area.
Rozema says he and Mayor Jon Post met with representatives from MTC on December 10 to express the town's preferred use for the vacant facility.
The statement read: "Town leadership expressed a preference that the facility operate as a minimum-security detention center housing non-violent offenders, similar to the facility's previous use. While the town can communicate its preference to MTC, the ultimate determination regarding the facility's use rests with MTC."
While the facility does have the proper zoning requirements to become a detention center, the town says they have not received a business license application from MTC, which is required.
Burke and Powell believe there's power in the people.
"There are limitations to what town councils and the county can do, but we're looking for public opinion also," Burke said. "Because we know that when public opinion is strong enough, sometimes people find things that they can do."
MORE DETAILS | IN DEPTH: The future of the Marana prison; town hall scheduled for next week
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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