Surprise officials report 'progress' after D.C. meeting on planned ICE facility

Community activists continue to push for more transparency on the facility's operations.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:48am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a nondescript government building or detention facility, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and deep shadows obscuring details, conveying a sense of unease and uncertainty.The planned ICE detention facility in Surprise, Arizona has become a source of tension between local officials and community activists seeking more transparency.Surprise Today

Surprise city leaders met with federal officials in Washington, D.C., last month to discuss plans for a new ICE detention facility in their community. While the officials emphasized there will be no detainee releases and offered facility tours, many questions remain unanswered, leading to ongoing calls for more transparency from local activists.

Why it matters

The planned ICE facility has sparked concerns from Surprise residents about potential impacts on the local community. The city's engagement with federal officials aims to address these concerns, but community groups remain skeptical about the government's promises and are demanding more openness.

The details

During the meeting, federal officials told Surprise leaders that the facility will not trigger local immigration enforcement activity and that they will reimburse the city for lost property tax revenue. The officials also committed to providing facility tours for city leadership and a designated oversight board. However, community activists like Brent Peak of Northwest Valley Indivisible argue the city should not trust DHS' promises and should prepare for potential escalation of tactics.

  • The meeting between Surprise officials and federal authorities took place last month.
  • The city says the facility could open as early as the end of September 2026.

The players

Kevin Sartor

The mayor of Surprise, Arizona, who led the city's delegation to the meeting in Washington, D.C.

Brent Peak

A member of the Northwest Valley Indivisible community activist group, which is pushing for more transparency on the planned ICE facility.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency overseeing the planned ICE detention facility in Surprise.

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What they’re saying

“The city should not be preparing to trust DHS' promises of peaceful, limited operations. It should be preparing for their broken promises and escalation of tactics that are fundamentally incompatible with this community.”

— Brent Peak, Member, Northwest Valley Indivisible

“From my perspective, it's constant communication. That's the only way we're going to get through this as a city. Is to make sure we're in contact with them. If we have any questions, we get them answered.”

— Kevin Sartor, Mayor, Surprise, Arizona

What’s next

The Surprise City Council plans to share more details on the meeting with federal officials at their next council meeting next week.

The takeaway

The planned ICE facility in Surprise has sparked ongoing tensions between the city government and local community activists, who are demanding more transparency and accountability from federal authorities. While the city says it is making progress, activists remain skeptical about the government's promises and are calling for the city to prepare for potential escalation of tactics.