Arizona Lawmakers Demand Answers on Planned ICE Facility in Surprise

Democratic representatives raise concerns over lack of transparency and community impact of proposed 1,500-bed immigration detention center.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Three Democratic members of Congress from Arizona have sent letters to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the previous owner of a warehouse in Surprise, demanding more information about the planned conversion of the facility into a 1,500-bed immigration detention center. The lawmakers raised concerns about the lack of communication with local officials and the community, as well as the potential impacts on traffic, emergency services, and the conditions of confinement in a warehouse setting.

Why it matters

The planned ICE detention facility in Surprise has sparked significant backlash from the local community, with hundreds of people protesting the project. The lawmakers' demands for transparency and accountability reflect the broader concerns about the expansion of immigration detention under the Trump administration's policies, which critics have described as cruel and unconstitutional.

The details

Reps. Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari, and Adelita Grijalva sent letters to DHS and the previous warehouse owner, Rockefeller Group, requesting details about the purchase of the property and the facility's intended operations. They also asked for information on how the facility will coordinate with local officials and address concerns such as increased traffic, emergency response needs, medical care capacity, and the conditions of confinement in a warehouse environment.

  • On February 4, Republican Rep. Paul Gosar, whose district includes parts of Surprise, sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers about the facility.
  • On February 3, the Surprise City Council held a meeting where local officials told concerned residents that there was nothing they could do to stop the federal project.
  • On February 5, the Surprise City Council met again in a special closed-door session to discuss options.

The players

Greg Stanton

Democratic U.S. Representative for Arizona's 9th congressional district, which includes communities in the East Valley.

Yassamin Ansari

Democratic U.S. Representative for Arizona's 3rd congressional district.

Adelita Grijalva

Democratic U.S. Representative for Arizona's 3rd congressional district, which includes Tucson.

Paul Gosar

Republican U.S. Representative for Arizona's 4th congressional district, which includes parts of Surprise.

Kristi Noem

Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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What they’re saying

“Arizonans don't want a detention facility across the street from their house or the neighborhood high school. DHS hasn't done the bare minimum to communicate with local and county officials about how they'll mitigate the impacts on the West Valley community, and they haven't communicated to Congress how they'll make an industrial warehouse fit to hold human beings.”

— Greg Stanton, U.S. Representative (News release)

“These facilities are not about public safety — they are a central pillar of Trump's cruel and unconstitutional deportation machine, designed to disappear people behind warehouse walls while denying basic standards of care and due process.”

— Adelita Grijalva, U.S. Representative (News release)

What’s next

The lawmakers are requesting a written response to their letters within 15 days. The Surprise City Council is also expected to continue discussing options and potential actions regarding the planned ICE facility.

The takeaway

The planned ICE detention center in Surprise has sparked significant backlash and concerns from local lawmakers and the community, highlighting the broader debates around immigration detention policies and the need for greater transparency and accountability from federal agencies when implementing such facilities.