Homeland Security Pauses New Immigrant Warehouse Purchases, Including in Orlando

The move comes as the department reviews contracts signed under former Secretary Kristi Noem.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:09pm

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The Department of Homeland Security is pausing plans to purchase new warehouses intended to house immigrants as it scrutinizes all contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The development 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.

Why it matters

The warehouse purchase plan was a key part of former President Trump's mass deportation agenda, but it faced intense opposition from residents and communities across the country who objected to having large ICE detention facilities in their neighborhoods. The pause in new purchases signals a potential shift in approach under the new Homeland Security leadership.

The details

The Department of Homeland Security official said that warehouse purchases that were already made are also being scrutinized. The department had a $38.3 billion plan to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds by acquiring eight large-scale detention centers and 16 smaller regional processing centers, but the plan faced legal challenges and community opposition in several states.

  • On March 31, 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

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary under whose tenure the warehouse purchase plan was developed.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Homeland Security Secretary who has inherited the controversial warehouse purchase plan.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that is pausing the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants as it reviews contracts signed under the previous administration.

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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 says it is reviewing all agency policies and proposals as part of the transition to the new administration. The fate of the existing warehouse purchases and the overall detention capacity expansion plan remains uncertain.

The takeaway

The pause in new immigrant warehouse purchases signals a potential shift in approach under the new Homeland Security leadership, which has pledged to work more closely with community leaders on issues related to immigration enforcement and detention. However, the department still faces significant challenges in addressing the controversial warehouse plan developed under the previous administration.