ICE Quietly Buys Warehouses Across U.S. for Detention Centers

Local officials scramble to find out details as DHS inks deals without warning communities

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Federal immigration officials have quietly purchased at least 7 warehouses across the U.S. to transform into large-scale detention centers, frustrating local communities who were not informed of the plans. The Department of Homeland Security has inked deals worth over $300 million for the facilities, which could house up to 10,000 detainees each, without notifying mayors, county commissioners, and other local leaders.

Why it matters

As public support for ICE and the Trump administration's immigration crackdown declines, communities are objecting to the mass detentions and raising concerns about the strain these facilities could place on local infrastructure and services, as well as the loss of tax revenue. The secretive nature of the purchases has led to shock and frustration even in areas that have backed Trump.

The details

ICE, which is part of DHS, has purchased at least 7 warehouses in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, according to deeds. Other deals have been announced but not finalized, while sales were scuttled in 8 locations. DHS claims the sites will be "very well structured detention facilities" rather than warehouses. The process has been chaotic, with ICE acknowledging "mistakes" in announcing purchases in New York and New Jersey that later closed. The agency plans to spend $38.3 billion to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds across 8 large centers and 16 smaller regional processing facilities.

  • In July 2025, ICE announced plans to purchase warehouses in Chester, New York and Roxbury, New Jersey.
  • On February 13, 2026, the governor's office in New Hampshire released an ICE document outlining the $38.3 billion detention expansion project.

The players

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and has been purchasing the warehouses to convert into detention centers.

Rudy Cruz Jr.

The mayor of Socorro, Texas, a town near the border where DHS purchased three large warehouses for a detention center without notifying local officials.

Christian Leinbach

A commissioner in Berks County, Pennsylvania who was unaware of ICE's plans to purchase a warehouse in his community until after the $87.4 million deal was completed.

Charles Tiefer

A professor emeritus of law at the University of Baltimore Law School who says the military contracts used to build the detention centers allow for a lot of secrecy and speed without the usual processes and safeguards.

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.

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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)

“There was absolutely no warning.”

— Christian Leinbach, Commissioner, Berks County, Pennsylvania (Associated Press)

“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.”

— City of Social Circle, Georgia (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.