Communities Fight ICE Detention Centers, But Have Few Tools to Stop Them

Local leaders across the U.S. face limited options as ICE plans massive expansion of detention facilities.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Outrage erupted in Oklahoma City when residents learned of plans to convert a vacant warehouse into an immigration processing facility. City leaders received no communication from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aside from a mandated disclosure related to historic preservation. Communities across the country are facing similar prospects as ICE undertakes a massive expansion fueled by a record $45 billion approved by Congress. Local governments have sought to block these facilities, but with limited legal authority, they have turned to the court of public opinion to deter private developers and the federal government.

Why it matters

The federal government's plans to open new ICE detention centers in communities across the U.S. have raised serious humanitarian concerns and economic impacts, as the facilities can take industrial space off tax rolls and strain city services. While local leaders have expressed bipartisan opposition, they have few legal tools to stop the federal government from moving forward with these projects.

The details

ICE documents show plans for acquiring and renovating 16 processing sites that hold up to 1,500 people each and eight detention centers that hold up to 10,000 each, for a total capacity of 92,600 beds. The agency also has plans for some 150 new leases and office expansions across the country. Local governments have sought to block these facilities through measures like moratoriums, but the federal government can assert immunity from certain state and local laws, including zoning. Some communities have succeeded in pressuring private developers to back out of deals with ICE, but federal officials have indicated they will not cancel projects over local concerns.

  • Last month, Oklahoma City residents learned of plans to convert a vacant warehouse into an immigration processing facility.
  • In January, the Kansas City Council swiftly approved a five-year ban on nonmunicipal detention facilities after learning of ICE's plans.
  • Last week, a Maryland county approved a resolution expressing its 'full support' for ICE, which is considering purchasing a warehouse there, despite local protests.

The players

David Holt

The mayor of Oklahoma City and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a nonpartisan organization representing the more than 1,400 leaders of cities with populations of 30,000 or more.

Andrea Bough

A Kansas City Council member and private development attorney who said the city's move to ban nonmunicipal detention facilities was both political and legal.

Nestor Davidson

A professor who teaches land use and local government law at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

Mayanne Downs

The city attorney for Orlando, Florida, who rejected 'suggestions of actions we can supposedly take' to block ICE detention centers, stating that 'the law is very clear: ICE, as an agency of our federal government, ICE is immune from any local regulation that interferes in any way with its federal mandate.'

Nicole Wilson

An Orange County, Florida, commissioner who said the board is constrained by a recent state law limiting certain local governments' ability to regulate development through 2027.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For any entity to be able to open a detention center in our communities, potentially next to neighborhoods or schools, regardless of your views on immigration policy or enforcement, is very challenging, because that's a very high-impact use, and that's the kind of thing that we would expect to talk about.”

— David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (Stateline)

“We all have a clear, unified position that really crosses party lines, and then we also have a clear understanding of how limited our options are.”

— David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (Stateline)

“Some would say local building codes and zoning regulations do not apply to the federal government. That's something I think we would probably in this situation be willing to fight until we had clear guidance on that.”

— Andrea Bough, Kansas City Council member and private development attorney (Stateline)

“However well motivated these suggestions are, the law is very clear: ICE, as an agency of our federal government, ICE is immune from any local regulation that interferes in any way with its federal mandate.”

— Mayanne Downs, City Attorney, Orlando, Florida (Stateline)

“A post office has the same water consumption and sewage as probably a lot of other uses. If you take a warehouse that was designed for 25,000 widgets and put 15,000 humans in it, you've got a very different set of local needs and services that are being used and being taxed and being burdened.”

— Nicole Wilson, Orange County, Florida Commissioner (Stateline)

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.