OKC Mayor Holt: DHS Ends Talks for ICE Facility

City officials confirm plans for southwest Oklahoma City warehouse have been abandoned.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:31pm

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Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is no longer in talks to acquire a warehouse in southwest Oklahoma City for use as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. The plans for the proposed ICE facility have been abandoned.

Why it matters

The potential establishment of an ICE detention center in Oklahoma City had drawn significant community opposition and concern over the impact on immigrant communities. The mayor's announcement that these plans have been halted is seen as a victory for local activists and a shift in the city's approach to immigration enforcement.

The details

According to Mayor Holt, the DHS has decided not to move forward with plans to convert a southwest Oklahoma City warehouse into an ICE detention facility. The mayor stated that the city was not involved in the discussions between DHS and the warehouse owners, and that the city was not in favor of the proposed ICE facility.

  • Mayor Holt made the announcement on January 29, 2026.

The players

David Holt

The mayor of Oklahoma City.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

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The takeaway

The decision to abandon plans for an ICE facility in Oklahoma City is seen as a win for local activists and a shift in the city's approach to immigration enforcement, reflecting the ongoing debate over the role of federal immigration agencies in local communities.