DHS Pauses New Immigrant Warehouse Purchases Amid Review of Noem-Era Contracts

The Department of Homeland Security is scrutinizing all contracts signed under former Secretary Kristi Noem as the new administration takes over.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:34pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty warehouse interior, with warm light streaming through high windows and deep shadows casting an unsettling mood, conceptually representing the complex tensions surrounding immigrant detention policies.The pause on new immigrant detention warehouse purchases reflects a shift in approach as the Biden administration seeks to balance homeland security with community concerns.Phoenix Today

The Department of Homeland Security is pausing the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants as it reviews all contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The move comes just days after the new Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, was sworn in to lead the department, which was steeped in controversy during Noem's tenure but also central to President Trump's mass deportation agenda.

Why it matters

The warehouse purchase plan was a key part of the Trump administration's efforts to expand immigrant detention capacity, but it faced intense opposition from local communities across the country. The pause in new purchases and review of existing contracts signals a potential shift in approach under the new DHS leadership.

The details

According to a senior Homeland Security official, the department is pausing the purchase of new warehouses and also scrutinizing warehouse purchases that have already been made. The official said the move is part of a broader review of all contracts signed under former Secretary Noem. So far, the federal government has spent $1.074 billion to purchase 11 warehouses in several states, but lawsuits are pending in three of those states and the capacity of at least one warehouse has been scaled back.

  • On April 2, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security announced the pause in new warehouse purchases.
  • Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as the new Homeland Security Secretary just last week.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The new Homeland Security Secretary who took over the department after the previous secretary, Kristi Noem.

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary whose tenure was marked by controversy over the department's immigrant detention policies.

Kevin Sartor

The mayor of Surprise, Arizona, where plans for a 1,500-bed immigrant processing site were scaled back to 542 occupied beds.

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What they’re saying

“We've got to protect the homeland and we're going to do that. But obviously we want to work with community leaders.”

— Markwayne Mullin, Homeland Security Secretary

“One thing I do know is construction. So, it's important that we're talking to the communities and if we're having additional needs, we can work with the cities.”

— Markwayne Mullin, Homeland Security Secretary

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security said it is reviewing all agency policies and proposals as part of the transition to the new administration. The review of contracts signed under former Secretary Noem is ongoing.

The takeaway

The pause in new immigrant warehouse purchases and the review of existing contracts under the new Homeland Security leadership signals a potential shift in approach from the Trump administration's aggressive detention policies. The new secretary has acknowledged the need to work with local communities, which faced shock and frustration over the rapid expansion of immigrant detention facilities in their neighborhoods.