# Trump administration scraps plan to use South Jersey military base for ICE detention

> Trump administration drops South Jersey military base for immigrant detention after GAO report.
- Title: Trump administration scraps plan to use South Jersey military…
- Summary: Trump administration drops South Jersey military base for immigrant detention after GAO report. The Trump administration abandoned plans to use U.S. Joint…
- Keywords: trump administration, joint base mcguire-dix-lakehurst, ice detention, government accountability office, u.s. immigration, new jersey, dhs, peter hegseth, one big beautiful bill act, ice detention centers, warehouse purchases, taxpayer funds
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/trump-ice-joint-base-maguire-dix-lakehurst-detention-gao-report
- Published: 2026-09-29T21:32:49.718+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trump administration, joint base mcguire-dix-lakehurst, ice detention, government accountability office, u.s. immigration, new jersey, dhs, peter hegseth, one big beautiful bill act, ice detention centers, warehouse purchases, taxpayer funds
## GAO report finds waste
The Government Accountability Office reported taxpayer dollars were wasted on ICE detention expansion without a strategic plan.
## Trump administration drops plan
The Trump administration abandoned plans to use South Jersey's Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for immigrant detention within months.
## DHS certified base for detention
DHS certified U.S. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington and Ocean counties for temporary immigrant detention last year.
## Hegseth memo identified staging sites
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth identified Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and an Indiana military post as staging sites for expanded immigrant detention.
## ICE expanded detention capacity
ICE's detainee population grew by 71% to 67,180 people from January 2025 through July 30, 2026, according to the GAO report.
## ICE bought warehouses for detention
ICE purchased 11 warehouses nationwide for $1.07 billion between January and April 2026 to renovate for immigrant detention.
## Administration scaled back expansion
The Trump administration sold seven warehouses after scaling back plans to expand immigrant detention facilities.
## GAO report highlights costs
ICE reported $20 million in non-recoverable costs and $12.8 billion in ongoing costs for warehouse security and utilities.
## GAO urges efficient use of funds
The GAO report stated it is critical for ICE to use taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively without a strategic plan.
## Administration changes plans
DOD officials stated in October 2025 they no longer plan to build detention facilities on other military installations.
## Key takeaway

The Trump administration abandoned plans to use U.S. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for ICE detention after a GAO report found the move wasteful of taxpayer funds.