Nationwide Opposition Grows Against ICE's Expanding Detention Facilities

Wed Feb 04 2026 03:54:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) begins acquiring warehouse properties to transform into detention centers, communities across the United States are pushing back against these developments. This article examines local responses from cities such as Arizona and Florida where mayoral and community leaders are implementing measures to resist ICE's plans.

Federal immigration officials are increasingly acquiring warehousing spaces to convert them into detention and processing facilities. Despite ICE claiming that these sites will be 'well-structured detention facilities,' local governments in various states, including Arizona, Florida, Missouri, and New Jersey, are voicing their opposition. City councils and advocacy groups are pushing back, implementing moratoriums, and urging ICE to reconsider. This article profiles various community responses and the implications of these federal decisions.

Federal immigration officials are scouting warehouses and beginning to purchase some of them to transform into detention and processing facilities.

Some warehouse owners have decided not to sell to Immigration and Customs Enforcement under pressure from elected officials and advocates. Some cities are issuing statements urging ICE to look elsewhere, and Kansas City has passed a moratorium on non-city-run detention facilities.

ICE has offered few specifics, even to the cities, but said in a statement that the sites wouldn’t be warehouses but “well structured detention facilities” and said it should come as no surprise that the agency is working to expand detention space.

Here is a look at what’s happening:

Arizona

ICE paid $70 million last month for a vast warehouse facility on the northwestern outskirts of Phoenix, according to a deed filed with Maricopa County.

The city of Surprise said in a statement released Friday that it was not aware that there were efforts underway to purchase the building, was not notified of the transaction by any of the parties involved and has not been contacted by the Department of Homeland Security or any federal agency about the intended use of the building.

The statement said federal projects are not subject to local regulations, such as zoning.

Florida

In Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement last month that the city was advised that it has no legal options to halt a possible ICE facility from opening.

The statement said the city has not been informed by the federal government of potential plans, but a TV reporter spotted a group of private contractors and federal officials touring a 439,945-square-foot industrial warehouse last month. ICE senior advisor David Venturella told a reporter with WFTV at the time that the tour was “exploratory” and that nothing had been decided yet.

City attorney Mayanne Downs said in a letter that “ICE is immune from any local regulation that interferes in any way with its federal mandate.”

Indiana

The town council in Merrillville passed a resolution last week in opposition to ICE converting a warehouse into a processing or detention facility.

The city said it was aware of a tour of the newly constructed, 275,000-square-foot warehouse. But it said it had received no notice or communication from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security or any federal agency about any possible plans.

Maryland

ICE purchased a warehouse in a county about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore for $102.4 million. Officials in Washington County said in a Facebook post that the Department of Homeland Security sent a letter beforehand stating it was considering purchasing the warehouse for use as a “new ICE Baltimore Processing Facility.” Cafeterias, bathrooms, health care spaces, tents, and guard shacks could be part of the project, according to the letter.

Minnesota

In the suburbs of Minneapolis, the owners of two warehouses have pulled out of possible ICE deals amid a public outcry.

In Woodbury, Mayor Anne Burt confirmed in a Facebook post last month that city staff had validated that a warehouse in the city isn’t being sold or leased to the federal government.

Mississippi

Federal officials were spotted last month scouting a building in Marshall County, the county’s board vice president said.

Missouri

In Kansas City, the city council passed a five-year moratorium on non-city-run detention facilities as ICE officials were touring a warehouse.

New Hampshire

The town council in Merrimack expressed its opposition to an ICE immigration detention and processing center in January, fearing it would undermine their property tax base.

New Jersey

In Roxbury, council members passed a resolution opposing an ICE facility after township manager J.J. Murphy spotted ICE officials touring a warehouse.

New York

Elected officials are pushing back against a proposal to purchase a warehouse for ICE operations, stating that they will use every tool available to block the facility.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma City, the mayor announced that discussions regarding the acquisition of a warehouse have ceased after public opposition during a city council meeting.

Pennsylvania

ICE paid $87.4 million for a warehouse in Berks County, and local officials expressed they had no prior knowledge of the sale or its future plans.

Texas

In El Paso County, commissioners formally expressed opposition to the construction of detention facilities in response to reports of ICE eyeing a warehouse in the county.

Utah

Salt Lake City’s mayor expressed gratitude after a warehouse owner decided not to sell or lease their property to ICE.

Virginia

Officials in Hanover County are seeking advice on legal options after the Department of Homeland Security confirmed its intent to purchase a site in an area with retail, hotels, and restaurants.