ICE Plans Massive Texas Detention Center in Hutchins

The 9,500-bed facility would be the largest migrant detention center in the nation, sparking concerns from local officials and faith leaders.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:23pm

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to convert a vacant warehouse in Hutchins, Texas into a massive 9,500-bed detention center, the largest in the country. The move is part of a broader ICE expansion across Texas that would add at least 20,000 new detention beds statewide. Local officials in Hutchins say they were caught off guard by the plan and firmly oppose the facility, citing concerns about infrastructure strain and unsafe detention conditions.

Why it matters

The planned Hutchins detention center reflects the Trump administration's push to dramatically increase deportations of undocumented immigrants. Critics argue the massive scale of the facility could dehumanize migrants, spread fear among immigrant families, and raise health and safety issues. The expansion also highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities in Texas.

The details

According to an internal ICE document, the agency plans to convert a 1 million-square-foot warehouse in Hutchins, just south of Dallas, into a 'mega' detention center that could hold up to 9,500 people. This would make it the largest migrant detention facility in the nation, nearly double the size of the current largest center in El Paso. ICE says the new centers will allow the agency to handle rising arrests more efficiently and avoid shuttling detainees around the country. However, local officials in Hutchins say they received little warning about the plan and strongly oppose it, citing a lack of infrastructure and services to support such a large facility.

  • In April 2026, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said the agency should treat deportations like Amazon Prime deliveries with 'intense speed'.
  • As of November 30, 2026, there were at least 65,000 people in ICE custody nationwide, according to TRAC data.

The players

Mario Vasquez

The mayor of Hutchins, Texas, who said the city had little warning about ICE's plan and is firmly opposed to the detention center.

Rev. Eric Folkerth

A senior pastor at Kessler Park United Methodist Church who has rallied with other faith leaders against the planned detention center, warning it would dehumanize migrants and strain local resources.

Chelsie Kramer

The Texas organizer for the American Immigration Council, an immigrant rights group, who said the planned expansion signals ICE intends to significantly increase arrests.

Denise Gilman

The co-director of the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, who warned the massive detention facilities could create dangerous, overcrowded conditions with poor hygiene and care.

John Wiley Price

A Dallas County Commissioner whose district includes Hutchins, who opposes the detention center citing a lack of basic services needed to house thousands of people.

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What they’re saying

“We should not be housing human beings in a warehouse meant for packages.”

— Rev. Eric Folkerth, Senior Pastor, Kessler Park United Methodist Church

“They're not doing it for no reason.”

— Chelsie Kramer, Texas Organizer, American Immigration Council

“Immigration detention is not intended to be punitive but an administrative measure.”

— Denise Gilman, Co-Director, Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law

What’s next

The judge overseeing the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the Hutchins detention center to move forward.

The takeaway

The planned 'mega' detention center in Hutchins highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities in Texas. While ICE argues the new facilities are needed to manage rising arrests, critics warn the massive scale could dehumanize migrants, strain local resources, and raise serious health and safety concerns.