All articles tagged with #tent camps
The U.S. is rapidly expanding its migrant detention capacity with a $45 billion funding boost, aiming to increase beds from 40,000 to 100,000 by year-end, focusing on large tent facilities at military bases and ICE jails, with a preference for detention centers run by Republican states over private prisons.
Satellite imagery reveals a rapid expansion of tent camps in Rafah, Gaza, as the Israeli offensive against Hamas intensifies, leading to squalid, cramped conditions for over 1.25 million displaced Palestinians. The influx of people has led to the spread of impromptu encampments with challenges such as lack of basic necessities and limited aid access. Displaced individuals are forced to seek assistance at established sites, while makeshift shelters struggle to withstand harsh winter weather. The region is struggling to meet the massive humanitarian need, with a majority of Gaza's population displaced multiple times and aid delivery impeded by Israeli authorities.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's recent announcement of a $65 million plan to set up a tent encampment for migrants in Chicago came just months after he distanced himself from the concept when it was proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. However, state documents reveal that the idea for housing migrants in tents originated within Pritzker's own administration. The state had sought proposals for both indoor and outdoor lodging options for migrants as early as May, and ultimately signed a contract with controversial contractor GardaWorld Federal Services in July. The revelation highlights the Pritzker administration's involvement in addressing the migrant crisis, despite attempts to downplay its role. The state's contract with GardaWorld includes specifications for a turnkey basecamp with fabric structures, but it remains uncertain how well these structures will withstand Chicago's harsh winter weather.