ICE may be eyeing Richmond for new office space
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Richmond is among a handful of U.S. cities reportedly being considered for a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office.
Why it matters: The effort comes as ICE expands its reach with billions in new funding and while the National Guard deploys in cities across the country alongside increased immigration arrests.
Driving the news: The General Services Administration released a list in September of nearly two dozen cities where the government hopes to set up shop. Richmond is among them, along with Raleigh, Charleston and St. Louis.
- The Trump administration is looking for 10-year leases for office space.
- The listing doesn't specify what the buildings will be used for, but states that they'll be in "support of administrative operations for law enforcement."
Zoom in: The listing also asks that 75%-80% of the office space be "private offices," with the remaining spots used for cubicles.
The GSA declined to comment on what the space would be used for or if Richmond had been selected, citing its policy of not commenting on "active procurements," per a GSA spokesperson.
- The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Between the lines: NPR and the Washington Post both reported that the office space request is being made on behalf of ICE.
What they're saying: "We're looking at new facilities to purchase," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said earlier this month.
- "We're hardening all of our buildings and making sure that we have more security measures, snipers on the roof, people to protect our law enforcement while they're out there on the streets," she said.
Context: After the influx of money from Trump's signature "big, beautiful bill," law enforcement has the budget to execute the president's goal of conducting massive immigration raids and deploying troops wherever Trump sees fit.
- The act allocates more than $100 billion to ICE and border enforcement through September 2029.