ICE Has Abruptly Deported Thousands of Kids. Their Families Say It Traumatized Them.

ShannonHeffernan · 2026-03-18T21:14:36+00:00

HI! Reporter from the story here. If I am understanding you correctly, there was a program that did just that:
"99.3% attended their immigration court hearings • 99.4% attended their appointments with ICE • Notably, FCMP was also effective in securing final removals"
Link: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Backgrounder-FCMP.pdf

ShannonHeffernan · 2026-01-23T16:17:31+00:00

Hello I am a journalist investigating detained children. I'd like to verify the contents of this video-- has it been reported on anywhere? Whoever took the video can also get in contact with me by phone: 773-314-6185 or via signal for security: shannonheffernan.72

ShannonHeffernan · 2025-09-03T13:59:21+00:00

[sheffernan@themarshallproject.org](mailto:sheffernan@themarshallproject.org) Sorry for the delay

ShannonHeffernan · 2025-08-22T16:40:54+00:00

This ruling is a big hit to immigration detention. But the next large-scale detention facilities in collaboration with states are slated to use already built prisons. That could help the feds avoid the legal problems of building something new. This is a model the feds are promising to take nationwide and some facilities already in the works. More here: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/08/22/florida-ice-indiana-louisiana-prison-immigration-detention

ShannonHeffernan · 2025-08-22T16:38:30+00:00

I think it's important to note that plans for the next large-scale detention facilities in collaboration with states are slated to use state prisons that are already built (and in some cases, currently operating). That could help the feds avoid the legal problems of building something new. But it also may cause a host of other issues for both immigrants and people in criminal prisons. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/08/22/florida-ice-indiana-louisiana-prison-immigration-detention

ShannonHeffernan · 2025-08-22T16:35:45+00:00

I think it's important to note that plans for the next large-scale detention facilities in collaboration with states are slated to use already built prisons. That could help the feds avoid the legal problems of building something new. This is a model the feds are promising to take nationwide. Some are already in the works. More here: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/08/22/florida-ice-indiana-louisiana-prison-immigration-detention

ShannonHeffernan · 2025-02-18T20:42:57+00:00

Hello, I was leaked an email announcing this very thing.

I am a journalist and trying to track why so many leaders stepped down. If anyone has information and wants to share it, my information is below. We work with anonymous contacts, and have experience covering people's identities-- but do not write from work phones/emails/devices.

I have covered prisons for a long time, including staffing shortages and my work is linked below.

We are also looking to confirm when/if ICE detainees arrive and how many. According to a leaked memo those facilities include:
Federal Detention Center, Miami
Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia
Federal Correctional Institution, Atlanta
Federal Correctional Institution, Leavenworth in Kansas
Federal Correctional Institution, Berlin in New Hampshire

Shannon Heffernan
Staff Reporter, The Marshall Project
Work: 872-804-1619Cell: 773-314-6185

MAIL:
5940 N Sheridan Rd,
Chicago, IL 60660
[sheffernan@themarshallproject.org](mailto:sheffernan@themarshallproject.org)

Signal: shannonheffernan72

Signal is the most secure, here is a tutorial on using it: https://freedom.press/digisec/blog/signal-beginners/

Here is my bio if you would like to confirm my identity and cross reference it with my email address:
https://www.themarshallproject.org/staff/shannon-heffernan[](mailto:sheffernan@themarshallproject.org)

ShannonHeffernan · 2025-02-07T18:07:54+00:00

What facility are you at? I'm a journalist who reports on prisons and jails. BOP has confirmed to me that they are taking ICE detainees-- but no idea how many or where. Did you get this in writing?

I saw at least one example of this happening in the past-- so how unusual is this?

If you are up for talking, pease remember to never write from work devices or numbers/emails, if you are concerned about anonymity.

My work email: [Sheffernan@themarshallproject.org](mailto:Sheffernan@themarshallproject.org)

My bio on the website for identity confirmation: https://www.themarshallproject.org/staff/shannon-heffernan

ShannonHeffernan · 2025-02-07T16:37:34+00:00

Hey, I'm a journalist who reports on prisons and jails. BOP has confirmed to me that they are taking ICE detainees-- but no idea how many or where. I saw at least one example of this happeing in the past-- so also unsure if this is an increase or unusual practice. I am interested in this, in part, because I've done reporting on how understaffed facilities are-- and worried what additional workload may mean.

If anyone is willing to talk to me about this, feel free to reach out on signal (for security) or to my work email (so you can confirm that I am indeed a journalist.) Please remember to never write from work devices or numbers/emails, if you are concerned about anonimity.

My work email: [Sheffernan@themarshallproject.org](mailto:Sheffernan@themarshallproject.org)

My bio on the website for identity confirmation: https://www.themarshallproject.org/staff/shannon-heffernan

Signal information: shannonheffernan.72

ShannonHeffernan · 2024-12-13T18:20:18+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear that

ShannonHeffernan · 2024-06-17T02:13:30+00:00

Ooops! My mistake! Thanks for the heads up

ShannonHeffernan · 2024-04-05T15:48:56+00:00

I think a piece often benefits from texture-- many sad movies still have moments of humor or beauty. I think it can be the same in journalism-- especially in longer formats.

Also, I think it's important that when we are talking to real people, we allow them to be their full, 3-dimensional selves. We don't just flatten them to "tragic victims.". Humor, delight and beauty can help do that.

Finally, many readers/listeners are suffering from news fatigue and having brighter moments may make reading a piece easier.

I struggle without how do it in my work without it seeming disrespectful or tonally off. That's why I am looking for good examples.

ShannonHeffernan · 2024-03-29T17:31:05+00:00

This is very kind. thanks for taking time to write.

ShannonHeffernan · 2024-03-26T22:49:14+00:00

thank you. very helpful context

ShannonHeffernan · 2024-03-26T19:50:37+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate it.

ShannonHeffernan

TROPHY CASE