COLUMBUS, Ind. — Camp Atterbury, a military installation in southern Indiana, will be used to detain immigrants under a federal directive signed by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marking a major escalation in the Biden–Trump transitional administration’s handling of overcrowded immigration facilities.
A letter dated July 15, addressed to members of Congress, confirmed that both Camp Atterbury and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey will be made available to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the “temporary housing of illegal aliens.”
The announcement follows months of speculation — and comes as immigration detention centers nationwide report surging populations and capacity concerns.
No Impact to Military Readiness, Says Pentagon
In the letter, Hegseth emphasized that military operations would not be affected by the handover.
“This arrangement will not negatively affect military training, operations, readiness, or other requirements, including National Guard and Reserve readiness,” the Defense Secretary wrote.
The letter, published Thursday by NJ Spotlight News, appears to cement earlier unconfirmed reports from May that floated Camp Atterbury as a candidate site for immigration detention amid rising federal caseloads.
Still No Timeline — Or Numbers
Despite the formal confirmation, federal and military officials remain tight-lipped on key logistics.
Lauren Houck, spokesperson for the Indiana National Guard, told Indiana Capital Chronicle on Friday that while the Guard has seen the memo, there are still no answers on when detainees might arrive, how many individuals could be housed, or where exactly on the base they would be detained.
“Camp Atterbury is a federal installation and may be used at the discretion of the federal government,” Houck said. “We will communicate information when we have appropriate details.”
Here’s what we know so far:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Facility | Camp Atterbury, Indiana |
| Announced by | U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth |
| Purpose | Immigration detention (temporary) |
| Confirmed via | Letter to Congress, dated July 15 |
| Military impact | Claimed to be none |
| Timeline / arrival details | Not yet disclosed |
| Previous usage of Atterbury | Training, emergency sheltering |
History of Civilian Use at Atterbury
This isn’t the first time Camp Atterbury has served non-military functions. In recent years, it’s been used as a temporary shelter for Afghan refugees following the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul, and it played a role during COVID-19 relief operations.
Located 40 miles south of Indianapolis, the sprawling 34,000-acre facility is managed by the Indiana National Guard, though ultimate authority rests with the federal Department of Defense.
The base is capable of supporting up to two brigade-sized elements at a time and is fully equipped for logistical, operational, and humanitarian deployments.
Political Silence — For Now
Rep. Jefferson Shreve, the Republican congressman whose district includes Camp Atterbury, has not yet issued a public comment on the development.
While the issue may ignite political debate over immigration enforcement, federal officials have framed the move as a temporary stopgap to ease pressure on overcrowded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.
It remains unclear how long the base will be used or whether it will serve as a processing center, long-term holding facility, or a mix of both.
More details are expected in the coming weeks as DHS and DOD finalize logistics.
