ICE Quietly Expands Detention Centers Across U.S., Frustrating Local Communities

Homeland Security purchases warehouses in over 20 towns without consulting local officials, sparking backlash over costs and impact on infrastructure.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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As public support for President Trump's immigration crackdown declines, the Department of Homeland Security has quietly purchased at least 7 warehouses across the U.S. to transform into large-scale ICE detention centers, often without notifying local officials. This has led to shock and frustration in communities like Socorro, Texas and Social Circle, Georgia, which are concerned about the strain on their resources and the loss of tax revenue. Some towns, like Surprise, Arizona, have even threatened legal action to block the facilities.

Why it matters

The secretive nature of ICE's warehouse purchases highlights the growing tensions between the federal government's immigration enforcement agenda and local communities, many of which have objected to the mass detentions and the high operating costs of these detention centers. The lack of transparency and communication from DHS has fueled distrust, especially in areas that previously supported Trump's policies.

The details

ICE has purchased at least 7 warehouses in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, totaling over $450 million in deals. The warehouses are massive, with one in Socorro, Texas large enough to fit 4.5 Walmart Supercenters. Local officials in these towns were often unaware of the plans until deeds were filed, leading to shock and frustration. Communities are concerned about the strain on their water, sewage, and other infrastructure, as well as the loss of hundreds of thousands in tax revenue from the federal facilities.

  • In February 2026, the governor's office in New Hampshire released a document showing ICE 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 across more than 225 sites.

The players

Rudy Cruz Jr.

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

Christian Leinbach

A commissioner in Berks County, Pennsylvania, who was caught off guard when ICE purchased a warehouse in his community for an $87.4 million detention facility.

Kristi Noem

The current Secretary of Homeland Security, who oversees ICE and its expansion of detention centers across the country.

Kris Mayes

The Democratic Attorney General of Arizona, who raised the prospect of taking legal action against ICE's purchase of a warehouse in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise.

Eduardo Castillo

A former attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, who advised Socorro officials that challenging the federal government over the detention center is "intimidating but not impossible."

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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 (nbcbayarea.com)

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

— Rudy Cruz Jr., Mayor of Socorro, Texas (nbcbayarea.com)

“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 (nbcbayarea.com)

“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 (nbcbayarea.com)

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.