WINONA, Minn. — An interstate van to transport detainees was in town Thursday — a day ahead of plans by the federal Immigration Control and Enforcement agency to send a detail to Winona. This was about 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. The driver leaned way over toward the passenger side and ducked out of view when he realized he was being photographed. Stronghold Detention Equipment Contractors, based out of Racine, Wisconsin, has substantial government contracts related to detention facilities. ICE itself uses unmarked vans for raids and snatches its detainees away quickly for transfer at rendezvous sites to contract carriers for delivery to detention centers.
Earlier: ICE agents make two Winona forays
Just passing through? On local stand-by for ICE arrests? The van, windowless except for blacked-out tailgate. Parked half an hour in the Aldi grocery store parking on the West End, near Culver’s and El Patron restaurants. Images: Andy Frank
ICE detention centers in our backyard
As of December, ICE had 108 detention centers. There had been 70,300 detainees in 2025, more than 73% than a year earlier
Albert Lea, Minnesota: Freeborn County Jail
Elk River, Minnesota: Sherburne County Jail
Willmar, Minnesota: Kandiyohi County Jail
Grand Forks, North Dakota: Grand Forks County Jail
Juneau, Wisconsin: Dodge Detention Center
Rapid City, South Dakota: Pennington County Jail
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan: Chippewa County Jail
Council Bluffs, Iowa: Ottawattamie County Jail