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

At least 20 communities across the U.S. have become stealth targets for ICE's $45 billion expansion of immigrant detention facilities.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been quietly purchasing warehouses across the U.S. to transform into new detention centers as part of a $45 billion expansion, often without notifying local officials. Communities in Texas, Georgia, Arizona, and other states have expressed shock and frustration upon learning of ICE's plans, raising concerns about the impact on local infrastructure, tax revenue, and public sentiment.

Why it matters

The secretive nature of ICE's warehouse acquisitions has sparked outrage in many communities, even those that have historically supported the Trump administration's immigration policies. Local officials fear the new detention centers could strain public services, reduce tax revenue, and further erode public trust in the federal government's immigration enforcement efforts.

The details

ICE has purchased at least seven warehouses in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, with other deals in the works. The warehouses are massive, with one in Socorro, Texas large enough to fit 4.5 Walmart Supercenters. Local officials in affected towns say they were not informed of ICE's plans ahead of time, only learning about the purchases after the fact through deeds or media reports. Communities are now scrambling to understand the implications and challenge the federal government's actions.

  • In February 2026, ICE acknowledged it made 'mistakes' in announcing warehouse purchases in New York and New Jersey that did not actually go through.
  • On February 13, 2026, the scope of ICE's warehouse project was confirmed when the governor's office in New Hampshire released a document showing the agency plans to spend $38.3 billion to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds.

The players

Rudy Cruz Jr.

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

Christian Leinbach

A commissioner in Berks County, Pennsylvania who was caught off guard when he learned ICE had purchased a warehouse in his district, raising concerns about the loss of local tax revenue.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE.

Kris Mayes

The Democratic Attorney General of Arizona, who raised the prospect of going to court to have an ICE-purchased warehouse in Surprise, Arizona declared a public nuisance.

Eduardo Castillo

A former attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice who told Socorro officials it is 'intimidating but not impossible' to challenge the federal government's plans for a detention center in their town.

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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 (Associated Press)

“I just feel that they do these things in silence so that they don't get opposition.”

— Rudy Cruz Jr., Mayor of Socorro, Texas (Associated Press)

“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 (Associated Press)

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.