Representative DeSaulnier Leads Delegation Letter Calling on U.S. Navy Secretary Spencer to Release Draft Proposal for Concord Naval Weapons Station Detention Facility

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), who represents the City of Concord, led a letter with Bay Area Members of Congress to United States Navy Secretary Richard Spencer calling on him to release the Navy’s proposal for detention facilities to house thousands of immigrants on land owned by the Department of Defense, including the Concord Naval Weapons Station in Northern California. 

Representatives Ami Bera (CA-07), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), John Garamendi (CA-03), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Doris O. Matsui (CA-06), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), and Mike Thompson (CA-05) all signed the letter.

On Friday, Time Magazine received an internal U.S. Navy memo that listed Concord Naval Weapons Station as a possible location for an immigrant detention camp.

“We are deeply troubled by the recent news stories suggesting that the United States Navy has put together a proposal to create tent camps for undocumented immigrants on Department of Defense-owned land, including at Concord Naval Weapons Station in Concord, California,” the Members wrote.

“We are understandably concerned that such a drastic proposal is being considered without community input or notification. We call on you as Members of Congress to provide us with the report and we would appreciate the courtesy of a response to this request by June 28, 2018.”

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Representative DeSaulnier previously voiced concerns to Secretary Spencer on the impact of a detention facility including that “the proposed site for this tent city is hugely problematic and is currently both unsafe and inhabitable. It is adjacent to an Army ammunition and explosives depot, which has blast zones and other hazards. Portions of the base have been deemed not suitable because of their environmental hazards. There is no current sewer, power, or water infrastructure on the land to allow for any human habitation. Forcing anybody to live on this land right now is more than dangerous – it is immoral.”

A copy of DeSaulnier’s letter can be found here.

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