Dallas Activists Push City to Enforce Code Against ICE Field Office

Advocates say the Dallas ICE facility is holding detainees overnight in violation of its original permit, but the city claims it lacks jurisdiction.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Communities across the U.S. are exploring ways to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from creating detention centers, including using municipal building codes and permitting processes. In Dallas, activists have tried to file code complaints about overcrowded and inhumane conditions at the Dallas ICE field office, but the city has closed the cases, citing lack of jurisdiction. An analysis of detention data shows the facility routinely exceeds federal limits on detention stays, even as those limits have been expanded.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local communities and the federal government over immigration enforcement. While the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause typically exempts federally owned property from local zoning laws, some cities are finding ways to push back, using bureaucratic sanctions and code enforcement to hold landlords and the government accountable for conditions at ICE facilities.

The details

The Dallas ICE field office is a 50,827-square-foot building that the federal government has leased for over three decades. In 1989, the city approved a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for the property, stating it would be used as an 'office and processing center' for immigration services, not for overnight detention. However, data shows the facility routinely holds detainees overnight, often exceeding federal limits. Local activists argue the facility is violating its original permit, but the city claims it is exempt from local zoning laws due to federal control of the property.

  • In November 1989, the City of Dallas approved a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for the property.
  • In 2004, the property was purchased by LIT Industrial Limited Partnership.
  • In 2005, the owner is listed as Elman Stemmons Tris Associates, affiliated with Elman Investors.
  • Between January 1 and October 15, 2025, at least 5,503 of 13,104 detention stints at the Dallas ICE field office were overnight.
  • Between October 1 and October 15, 2025, 557 of 1,157 detention stints were overnight.

The players

Azael Alvarez

A local activist who brought the existence of the SUP to the attention of the author.

Philip Kingston

A former Dallas city councilmember and lawyer who works in real estate development, who believes the city should be able to enforce local municipal code against a private building owner who leases to the government if there are meaningful code violations.

George Mason

A minister who leads the multi-faith group Faith Commons and is a member of CLEAR DFW, a group of faith leaders involved in social justice issues, who says he's been told people are held in 'two rooms with no beds, and they cram them into these two holding cell areas.'

Laura Cadena

The Dallas city councilperson whose district contains the Dallas ICE field office.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees ICE and replaced the Treasury Department as the owner of Business Personal Property at the building in 2005.

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What they’re saying

“If it is true that they can keep people up to 72 hours in overcrowded holding rooms without adequate facilities or sleeping arrangements, that in itself is inhumane.”

— George Mason, minister who leads the multi-faith group Faith Commons and is a member of CLEAR DFW (D Magazine)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Dallas ICE field office to continue holding detainees overnight.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local communities and the federal government over immigration enforcement, as cities explore ways to use municipal codes and permitting processes to hold ICE accountable for conditions at its facilities, despite the Supremacy Clause typically exempting federally owned property from local zoning laws.