Public Pressure Mounts Over ICE Facility in Surprise as DHS Changes Hands

Residents protest new ICE detention center near high school as city officials raise concerns over water usage and proximity to military base.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:51am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting an ICE detention facility in the foreground, with the outline of a high school visible in the background, all bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conceptually representing the community's concerns over the facility's location and impact.As tensions over immigration enforcement escalate, a new ICE detention center in Surprise, Arizona sparks fears and protests from the local community.Surprise Today

As the mayor of Surprise, Arizona presented the latest update on a controversial new ICE detention facility to city council, residents packed council chambers and surrounded city hall in protest. The $70 million facility, located just half a mile from Dysart High School, has sparked concerns from students and parents about its impact on the community.

Why it matters

The opening of the new ICE facility in Surprise has become a flashpoint, with residents voicing strong opposition to its location near a high school and the potential impact on the community. As the Department of Homeland Security undergoes leadership changes, the fate of this facility remains uncertain.

The details

The 542-bed ICE detention center was purchased in January and is located close to Dysart High School. Students have started petitions calling for a three-mile buffer zone between detention facilities and schools, and some have already stopped attending school out of fear. City council members have also raised concerns about the facility's high water usage and proximity to Luke Air Force Base.

  • The ICE facility was purchased in January 2026.
  • The mayor presented an update on the facility to city council on April 8, 2026.
  • A new DHS Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, took over earlier this month.

The players

Kevin Sartor

The mayor of Surprise, Arizona who presented the latest update on the ICE facility to city council.

Cali Overs

A student who started an online petition urging lawmakers to create a three-mile buffer zone between detention facilities and schools.

Dayna Siqueiros

A student who said her classmates have already stopped going to school due to fear of the nearby ICE facility.

Chris Judd

A city council member who expressed concerns about the location of the ICE facility, calling it a "terrible location" and criticizing the "politicization" of the issue.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security who took over earlier this month.

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What they’re saying

“I was always taught 'see something, say something.' My fellow peers at my school are going to jeopardize”

— Cali Overs, Student

“Students do have to walk home and walk past the facility, which is terrifying. I've had a lot of classmates already stopped going and their parents already stopped taking them to school.”

— Dayna Siqueiros, Student

“I think it's a terrible location for a federal detention facility. I hate that everyone is trying to politicize it and make it some left and right type of thing. For me this a developer who wants to put a detention facility in the middle of Surprise.”

— Chris Judd, City Council Member

What’s next

A top DHS official said the agency has paused the purchases of new warehouses as new Secretary Markwayne Mullin took over this month. DHS is currently reviewing contracts signed under former Secretary Kristi Noem.

The takeaway

The controversy over the new ICE detention facility in Surprise highlights the growing tensions around immigration enforcement policies and their impact on local communities. As the Biden administration undergoes changes at the Department of Homeland Security, the fate of this facility remains uncertain, with residents demanding a greater voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods.