Jim Pattison: No Sale of US Warehouse for ICE Facility

“`html

Ashland, Virginia – A planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility in Ashland, Virginia, is off the table. Jim Pattison Developments announced Friday, February 2, 2024, that it will no longer sell an industrial building slated for the project, throwing a wrench into the Department of Homeland SecurityS expansion plans.

ICE Facility Deal Collapses After Public Backlash

The growth company, owned by Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison, abruptly canceled the sale without providing a reason.

• Jim Pattison Developments canceled the sale of the industrial building in Ashland, Virginia.
• The Department of Homeland Security intended to use the property as an ICE processing center.
• The deal faced significant opposition, particularly in British Columbia, leading to calls for a boycott of Pattison’s Save-on-Foods.

The sale of the industrial building in Ashland, Virginia, has been canceled, effectively halting plans to turn it into an ICE processing center.

The company’s statement, released Friday, was terse: “The transaction to sell our industrial building in Ashland, Virginia will not be proceeding.” No further clarification was offered.

The Department of Homeland Security initially revealed its intention to acquire the 41-hectare (43.49-acre) warehouse property in a letter to Hanover County officials on January 21,2024. Pattison had owned the site since 2022.

WATCH | U.S. residents oppose sale of Pattison property to DHS:

Canadian billionaire taking heat for possible ICE facility deal

There is more fallout over B.C.billionaire Jim Pattison’s plans to sell a warehouse in Virginia to the U.S. Department of homeland Security. The U.S. federal government wants to buy the property and turn it into an ICE processing facility. As CBC’s Yasmine ghania reports, that’s prompted criticism on both sides of the border.

The proposed deal quickly ignited controversy, particularly in British Columbia, where Pattison is a prominent figure. The leader of the B.C. Green Party even called for a boycott of Pattison’s Save-On-Foods grocery chain in response.

ICE has faced scrutiny over its immigration enforcement tactics,including incidents where federal agents have shot and killed American citizens in Minneapolis,Minnesota.

The cancellation comes amid increased scrutiny of ICE’s practices. The agency has been criticized for its aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have, in some cases, resulted in tragic outcomes.

Further details are expected to emerge as the situation develops.