ICE Quietly Buys Warehouses for Detention Centers, Leaving Local Officials in the Dark

At least 20 communities across the U.S. have become targets for ICE's $45 billion detention center expansion, sparking concerns from local officials.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is quietly purchasing warehouses across the U.S. to transform into detention centers as part of a $45 billion expansion, leaving local officials out of the loop. At least 20 communities, including Socorro, Texas, Berks County, Pennsylvania, and Social Circle, Georgia, have become targets for these stealth acquisitions, raising concerns about the impact on local infrastructure, tax revenue, and public sentiment.

Why it matters

The secretive nature of ICE's warehouse purchases has angered local officials, who feel blindsided by the agency's actions. Communities are objecting to the mass detentions and raising concerns that the facilities could strain water supplies, other services, and reduce local tax revenue. This issue has become politically charged, as public support for ICE and President Trump's immigration crackdown has declined.

The details

ICE, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has purchased at least seven warehouses in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The agency has also announced other deals that have not yet been finalized, while sales in eight locations were scuttled due to community backlash. DHS has confirmed it is looking for more detention space but has not disclosed individual sites ahead of acquisitions, leaving many local officials unaware of the plans until after the fact.

  • In February 2026, the governor's office in New Hampshire released a document from ICE showing the agency plans to spend $38.3 billion to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds.
  • Since President Trump took office in 2017, the number of people detained by ICE has increased from 40,000 to 75,000, spread across more than 225 sites.

The players

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and detaining undocumented immigrants.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal executive department responsible for public security, including immigration enforcement through ICE.

Rudy Cruz Jr.

The mayor of Socorro, Texas, a predominantly Hispanic town where ICE has purchased three large warehouses for a detention center.

Christian Leinbach

A commissioner in Berks County, Pennsylvania, who was caught off guard by ICE's plans to purchase a warehouse in his community.

Eduardo Castillo

A former attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice who advised Socorro officials that it is possible, though intimidating, to challenge the federal government's plans for the detention center.

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What they’re saying

“Nobody from the federal government bothered to pick up the phone or even send us any type of correspondence letting us know what's about to take place.”

— Rudy Cruz Jr., Mayor of Socorro, Texas

“To be clear, the City has repeatedly communicated that it does not have the capacity or resources to accommodate this demand, and no proposal presented to date has demonstrated otherwise.”

— Social Circle, Georgia, City officials

“If you don't at least try, you will end up with another inhumane detention facility built in your jurisdiction and under your watch.”

— Eduardo Castillo, Former U.S. Department of Justice attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.