As ICE readies Louisiana facility for children and families, faith leaders hold vigil

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ALEXANDRIA, La. (RNS and Verite News) — Local community activists and faith leaders from Louisiana and beyond marched and prayed Thursday (Oct. 1) at the fenced-off barracks and trailers at England Airpark, where federal immigration officials are preparing to open a privately-run facility to hold immigrant families and unaccompanied children awaiting deportation.

The 528-bed facility — which sits next to Alexandria International Airport and is expected to open imminently — will be the second detention facility designated for children and families under President Donald Trump.

“We lament the childhood moments that detention will interrupt: a familiar bedtime, a classroom full of friends, a meal around a family table, the freedom to play without fear, graduation, a birthday,” said the Rev. Robin Tanner, president of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, who flew in from New Jersey to attend the event and led a prayer in front of the facility. About 40 people attended the vigil.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) maintains it will be a temporary holding facility…