A Marana group opposed to a proposed ICE detention facility recently met with Mayor Jon Post and Town Manager Terry Rozema to share concerns about the project and hear town leadership’s perspective.
Members of Pima Resists ICE (PRICE) said they wanted to open lines of communication with town officials. Post and Rozema said they welcomed the opportunity to explain the town’s position and discuss areas where concerns might be addressed.
At the center of the discussion is the former Marana Community Correctional Treatment Facility — commonly referred to as the Marana Prison — and its owner’s reported plans to lease the property as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility. PRICE opposes the proposal. Town officials have said their authority to prevent such a conversion is limited because the property is privately owned and already zoned for correctional use.
“Pima Resists ICE opposes all ICE detention centers, including the one proposed in Marana,” member Dennis Shannon said. “We believe detention-based immigration enforcement is harmful and inconsistent with constitutional principles.”
PRICE members said they are concerned about the track record of Management & Training Corporation (MTC), the company that owns the property and operates correctional facilities in several states. Shannon cited reports and lawsuits involving private prison operators nationally and said the group fears similar issues could arise locally.
“Though we were pleased to meet with the mayor and to establish lines of communication, we disagree strongly with the idea that this would be a significantly different type of detention facility,” Shannon said. “We believe close oversight and transparency would be critical.”
Shannon also raised concerns about oversight standards. ICE detention centers operate under federal detention standards rather than state prison regulations. Advocates argue that federal immigration detention standards differ from state correctional requirements, particularly in areas such as access to legal services and health care.
PRICE members also object in principle to immigration detention. Federal immigration law distinguishes between civil immigration violations, such as unlawful presence, and criminal offenses, such as improper entry or re-entry after removal. Shannon said the group believes immigration enforcement should prioritize due process protections.
“The Constitution guarantees due process protections to persons within the United States,” Shannon said. “We want to ensure those protections are upheld.”
Another point of disagreement involves the facility’s potential impact on the community.
“Our research suggests that prisons and detention facilities can affect a town’s reputation and local economy,” Shannon said.
Town leadership views the situation differently.
Because the facility sits on privately owned land already zoned for correctional use, town officials say their ability to block federal detention use is limited. Rezoning a property without the owner’s consent would require a legal process and could expose the town to litigation.
“You can’t simply change someone’s zoning designation without following a formal legal process,” Rozema said.
Residents have asked the council to pass a resolution opposing the ICE facility. Rozema said such a resolution would be symbolic and would not have binding authority over federal agencies.
“These are federal agents operating under federal jurisdiction,” Rozema said. “We do not have authority over their policies, including operational procedures.”
Rozema said his focus is on what the town can control, including communication with the property owner.
“What we do have control over is the ability to meet with, interact with and convey our concerns with MTC,” he said. “If a facility were to open, we would want transparency and assurances regarding standards and treatment.”
ICE agents already operate in Pima County, Rozema noted, and detainees are housed in facilities throughout the region.
“If individuals are going to be detained somewhere, our goal would be to ensure that, if it’s in our community, there is appropriate oversight and humane treatment,” he said.
Rozema said the town is attempting to remain neutral regarding federal policy while recognizing the limits of municipal authority.
“Do they have a legal right to operate a business that complies with zoning and federal law?” Rozema said. “If those conditions are met, the town’s role is limited.”
Speaking personally, Rozema added that he would prefer the site remain a Department of Corrections facility because such facilities provide inmate labor programs that assist with local maintenance projects.
The discussion between PRICE and town officials ended without a resolution, but both sides said they intend to continue dialogue as developments unfold.