Texas Warehouse Owners Reject Proposal for ICE Detention Facility

Growing opposition to immigrant detention centers in local communities across the U.S.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The owners of a massive warehouse in Hutchins, Texas, outside of Dallas, have announced they will not enter into any agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to use the facility as an immigration detention center. This decision comes amid growing opposition to the establishment of new ICE detention facilities in communities across the country, including in Berks County, Pennsylvania, El Paso, Texas, and Merrillville, Indiana.

Why it matters

The federal government's push to dramatically expand immigration detention capacity is facing significant pushback from local communities who are rejecting proposals to house these facilities in their backyards. This highlights the broader debate over the government's immigration enforcement policies and the perceived human rights concerns associated with immigrant detention centers.

The details

The Department of Homeland Security is on a $38 billion spending spree to acquire warehouses and convert them into immigration detention facilities, aiming to increase the federal detention capacity by over 90,000 beds. However, many local communities are refusing to host these facilities, citing concerns over the inhumane treatment of detainees and the facilities' negative impact on the community.

  • On February 16, 2026, the owners of the Hutchins, Texas warehouse announced they would not lease the property to DHS for an ICE detention center.
  • In January 2026, the Kansas City, Missouri city council passed a moratorium on any new detention facilities in the city.

The players

Hutchins, Texas Warehouse Owners

The owners of a large warehouse in Hutchins, Texas, outside of Dallas, who have rejected a proposal from the Department of Homeland Security to use the facility as an immigration detention center.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The U.S. federal agency that is spearheading a $38 billion effort to acquire warehouses and convert them into immigration detention facilities, with the goal of increasing the national detention capacity by over 90,000 beds.

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What they’re saying

“We are making it clear now that a detention or processing facility does not align with Merrillville's values, planning standards or vision for the future.”

— Rick Bella, Council President, Merrillville, Indiana (usatoday.com)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security will likely need to find alternative locations to establish new immigration detention centers, as local opposition continues to grow across the country.

The takeaway

The rejection of ICE detention facilities by local communities highlights the broader public backlash against the federal government's aggressive immigration enforcement policies and the perceived human rights abuses associated with immigrant detention centers.