A Virginia county is weighing its legal options after learning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intends to purchase a warehouse property owned by Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Developments. The proposed purchase, revealed in a January 21 letter from the Department of Homeland Security to Hanover County, would transform the 43.49-acre site into an ICE holding and processing centre.
Opposition Mounts on Both Sides of the Border
The potential sale has ignited opposition in both Canada and the United States. Critics point to ICE’s increasingly scrutinized enforcement tactics and what they describe as a lack of accountability. Canadians have begun organizing boycotts of businesses linked to billionaire Jim Pattison, while residents of Hanover County, Virginia, are planning demonstrations.
“Business deals do not exist in a vacuum,” said Krista Ball, an author in Edmonton, urging Canadians to contact their Members of Parliament. She expressed concern over images and reports of violence involving ICE, stating that many Canadians are “watching helplessly” as these events unfold.
Hanover County Considers its Response
Hanover County officials confirmed receipt of the letter on January 22 and stated the local government did not solicit the project. The county has 30 days to respond and will discuss the matter at a meeting on Wednesday, beginning with an in-camera session with legal counsel before opening to the public. Dozens of people have registered to speak.
Local residents and advocacy groups have voiced strong objections. Lauren Natale, a resident of Richmond, Virginia, criticized the prospect of a detention centre operated by an agency accused of due process violations and disregarding constitutional rights. Michael Berdan, a lawyer in Ashland, noted that opposition appears to be uniting residents across the political spectrum.
Mary Bauer, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, stated that the Trump administration’s deportation policies have created a humanitarian crisis within ICE facilities, and that Virginia does not need to expand this “deadly immigration detention machine.”
Broader Implications and Business Ties
The controversy extends beyond the immediate locality. The Globe and Mail reported last week that Vancouver-based Hootsuite Inc. has secured a $95,000 pilot project with ICE, despite past employee protests that led the company to cancel a similar contract in 2019. Hootsuite CEO Irina Novoselsky has defended the decision, stating the company will continue to work with organizations that adhere to its terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ICE planning to do with the property?
ICE intends to purchase, occupy, and rehabilitate the 43.49-acre warehouse property to use as a holding and processing centre. Site modifications could include constructing holding spaces, installing tentage, a guard shack, and security equipment.
What is the timeline for a decision?
Hanover County has 30 days from January 22 to respond to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s letter. A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the matter.
Who is Jim Pattison?
Jim Pattison is one of Canada’s wealthiest business magnates, with a conglomerate spanning real estate, grocery chains, car dealerships, and media. He is also known for his extensive philanthropic contributions, including a $75-million donation to Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Foundation in 2017.
As Hanover County prepares for its public meeting, the future of the property remains uncertain. It remains to be seen whether local officials will approve the sale, and what impact the ongoing public debate will have on the decision.
