The proposed establishment of a detention centre for children and families at the England Airpark in Alexandria, Louisiana, has raised significant health and environmental concerns. This former military base, now a hub for deportations, is alarmingly contaminated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” With groundwater contamination levels exceeding federal safety limits by staggering amounts, advocates are questioning the wisdom of situating a facility for vulnerable populations in such a hazardous environment.
Environmental Risks at England Airpark
The England Airpark, once a bustling military installation, has become notorious for its high levels of PFAS contamination. Recent tests indicate that the groundwater contains PFAS concentrations of at least 41 million parts per trillion (ppt), far surpassing federal drinking water limits of 4 to 10 ppt. This alarming statistic puts the pollution levels at over 575,000 times the acceptable threshold.
In addition to PFAS, the site is also tainted with other hazardous substances such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and various volatile organic compounds, raising further alarms about the potential health implications for families who may be housed there. Jared Hayes, a senior policy analyst with the Environmental Working Group, emphasized the dangers, stating, “There shouldn’t be housing at contaminated bases, and we need to be cleaning up this stuff much faster if we’re going to put people in harm’s way.”
ICE’s Plans for the Detention Centre
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is moving forward with plans to convert a section of the England Airpark into a short-term detention facility for migrant families and unaccompanied children. Described as a “first of its kind,” the centre is expected to accommodate families for a duration of three to five days, with an emphasis on voluntary “self-deportation.” However, immigrant rights groups have raised concerns about the misleading nature of this terminology, asserting that many individuals will feel compelled to participate. Advocates caution that the actual duration of stay may extend well beyond the proposed timeframe.
The centre will be located adjacent to an operational runway, further complicating safety and health considerations. The facility is part of a larger complex that houses a private detention centre operated by the Geo Group, which has previously come under scrutiny for alleged mistreatment of detainees.
Toxic Legacy of Military Operations
The contamination at England Airpark can be traced back to the military’s use of PFAS-laden firefighting foams, which were prevalent during training exercises. These chemicals have migrated into the groundwater, exacerbating the already perilous situation. Additionally, the base has a history of operating burn pits used to incinerate a variety of waste, including munitions, plastics, and toxic materials, leading to widespread environmental degradation.
Children, in particular, are at heightened risk from exposure to these chemicals due to their smaller body sizes and developing systems. Hayes points out that the full scope of health impacts from simultaneous exposure to multiple contaminants remains largely unknown. “The risk for people living on site is in the dust and in the air,” he noted, highlighting the lack of rigorous testing for soil and air quality at the facility.
Community and Legal Concerns
Local advocates, including Frances Kelly from Louisiana Advocates for Immigrants in Detention, have voiced serious objections to the use of this contaminated site for housing. She noted that water is piped in from the nearby city of Alexandria, which also sources its supply from the groundwater, raising further questions about the safety of the water being provided.
Despite the apparent hazards, project developers maintain that the PFAS pollution does not affect the barracks site, although they have not provided evidence of comprehensive testing of the air and soil. Hayes has pointed out that federal records do not reflect any cleanup efforts, indicating that the military is still in the preliminary phase of investigating the extent of the PFAS plume.
While there is no clear path for legal recourse at this time, advocates are determined to challenge the establishment of the facility. “There’s always a way to undo it,” Kelly asserted, expressing hope for a reversal of the plans.
Why it Matters
The decision to establish a detention centre for families at a site with such significant environmental and health risks raises critical ethical questions about the treatment of vulnerable populations. As the U.S. grapples with its immigration policies, the implications of placing families and children in potentially hazardous conditions cannot be overstated. The situation at England Airpark serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between environmental justice and human rights, demanding urgent attention from policymakers and the public alike.
