Virginia County Opposes ICE Facility Conversion of Pattison Warehouse

A significant dispute has emerged in Hanover County, Virginia, regarding the potential conversion of a warehouse into a facility for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Local officials and residents gathered on March 15, 2023, at the County Administration building to voice their opposition to the plan, expressing concerns about its implications on the community.

Sean Davis, Chair of the Hanover Board of Supervisors, stated, “The board opposes the purchase of this property,” addressing a crowded room of residents who are apprehensive about the effects of the proposed facility. The warehouse in question, owned by the Jim Pattison Group from British Columbia, is set to be acquired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for use as a holding and processing site.

The Department of Homeland Security intends to convert the 43.5-acre site, which includes a 550,000-square-foot industrial warehouse in the small town of Ashland, Virginia, into a facility that will feature holding spaces, offices, and cafeterias. In its letter to Hanover County, the department also mentioned possible additions such as “tentage and a guard shack.” The proposed site is situated near residential areas, a heating equipment supply store, and an outdoor equipment retailer, raising safety and property value concerns among local residents.

According to a statement from the Jim Pattison Group, the company was unaware of the warehouse’s intended use when it accepted an offer from a U.S. government contractor. The firm emphasized that the sale remains subject to various approvals and compliance with applicable laws.

Local leadership conveyed that they had received no direct communication from the federal government regarding the facility’s development beyond the initial letter. Davis pointed out that the area was designed for business and residential use, making it an inappropriate location for an ICE facility. The county’s legal team is currently evaluating options to counter the federal government’s plans.

Community members expressed a range of opinions during the meeting. Some residents supported the ICE facility and the broader deportation efforts under the Trump administration, while others condemned the proposal, highlighting concerns about the treatment of immigrants and potential safety issues.

Mark Stevenson, a bishop in the diocese of Virginia, articulated the moral perspective against the facility, saying, “We are standing on the fundamental truth that a person’s value is not in their paperwork, but in their personhood.” Parents attending the meeting shared worries regarding the proximity of the detention center to homes and children, fearing it could lead to a decline in local property values.

Opposition to the facility has also attracted attention from organizations beyond Virginia. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1518, representing food workers across British Columbia, reached out to the Pattison Group, urging them to withdraw from any transactions that would support ICE operations.

In a broader context, the facility’s development has coincided with heightened tensions surrounding immigration policies in the United States. Recent incidents, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, have triggered protests and intensified debates about federal immigration enforcement.

As the situation evolves, local officials remain committed to voicing their concerns to the federal government. Davis stated that the county will formally communicate its opposition and outline potential impacts. The community’s response reflects a significant divide in sentiment regarding immigration enforcement, revealing the complexities of local and national politics in the face of contentious federal policies.