WASHINGTON — A federal watchdog is investigating a program that spent $38 billion under ex-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to convert vacant buildings into immigrant detention facilities, The Post has learned.
The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) has announced the probe “[t]o determine to what extent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] purchased and converted facilities for detention space that meets its operational need in a cost-effective manner.”
The audit of ICE’s acquisition of detention space — which was also championed by Noem’s top adviser Corey Lewandowski — has spent just $1 billion so far in taxpayer funds to purchase 11 vacant warehouses, The Wall Street Journal first reported.
Noem’s replacement as DHS secretary, Markwayne Mullin, reportedly paused the spending shortly after assuming the cabinet post in late March.
Reps for DHS and the inspector general’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
