ICE Expands Detention Facility Search Amid Local Pushback Across the United States

Thu Feb 05 2026 02:20:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Federal immigration officials are actively seeking to acquire warehouses across the country to convert into detention and processing facilities, but local communities are pushing back against these plans.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is exploring the purchase of various warehouses nationwide to establish detention and processing sites. Despite the agency's intention to expand its facilities, significant opposition from local officials and communities is emerging, with many cities instituting measures to prevent these developments. The situation is unfolding in states like Arizona, Florida, and Maryland, where federal dealings are met with local legislative pushback and public protests.

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 suggested that it should come as no surprise that the agency is working to expand detention space.

Here's a look at what's happening across various states:

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 stated that it was not aware of efforts to purchase the building.

Florida

In Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer reported that the city has no legal options to prevent an ICE facility from opening despite signs that federal officials were exploring local warehouses.

Indiana

Merrillville town council passed a resolution opposing ICE converting a warehouse into a facility, amidst concerns over a lack of communication from federal agencies.

Maryland

ICE purchased a warehouse in a county about 60 miles northwest of Baltimore for $102.4 million, raising local concerns about the project.

Minnesota

Community opposition led to two warehouse owners withdrawing from potential ICE deals in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

Missouri

Kansas City passed a five-year moratorium on non-city-run detention facilities after ICE officials were spotted touring a warehouse.

New Jersey

The Roxbury council passed a resolution opposing plans for an ICE facility after observing federal officials at a local warehouse.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma City, Mayor David Holt announced that the DHS is no longer pursuing a warehouse acquisition following council opposition.

Pennsylvania

ICE reported a $87.4 million purchase of a warehouse for operations, with local officials unaware of prior dealings.

Texas

The El Paso County commissioners formally expressed their opposition to proposed detention facilities amid ICE's interest in local warehouses.

Virginia

In Hanover County, local officials are evaluating legal options following intent from DHS to establish an ICE processing facility in a retail area.

The unfolding situation highlights the tension between federal immigration strategies and local governance, as communities rally to exert influence over federal operations in their areas.