Trump Administration Buying Warehouses Across U.S. for Detention Centers

Critics raise concerns about potential crackdown on free speech and targeting of U.S. citizens

Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Reports indicate the Trump administration is purchasing multiple large warehouses across the U.S. to convert into detention centers to be operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The move has sparked concerns from local communities about the potential for these facilities to be used to detain not just immigrants, but also U.S. citizens who criticize the administration's policies.

Why it matters

The plan to build a network of warehouse-based detention centers raises questions about the administration's commitment to civil liberties and the First Amendment, as there are reports of ICE agents already cracking down on protesters and threatening those who criticize the agency's actions. Critics fear these new detention centers could be used to imprison U.S. citizens who speak out against the administration's policies, particularly its support for the state of Israel.

The details

ICE has already purchased warehouses in Maryland, Arizona, and Texas, with plans to acquire up to 23 facilities across the country to detain immigrants. The agency has spent hundreds of millions on these purchases and the renovations needed to turn the warehouses into jails. Local communities have pushed back against the plans, with some warehouse owners backing out of deals with ICE after protests. There are also concerns that the administration may try to deport U.S. citizens to prisons abroad, as President Trump has previously discussed.

  • In April 2025, President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi discussed potentially deporting U.S. citizens to a prison in El Salvador.
  • On January 20, 2026, protesters demonstrated in freezing temperatures outside a warehouse in Hagerstown, Maryland that ICE had purchased.
  • On January 26, 2026, the owners of a warehouse in Salt Lake City announced they had 'no plans to sell or lease the property in question to the federal government' after protesters showed up.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who is overseeing the warehouse purchasing program through the Department of Homeland Security.

Pam Bondi

The former Attorney General of Florida who discussed deporting U.S. citizens to a prison in El Salvador with President Trump.

Greg Bovino

The former commander-at-large of the United States Border Patrol who was relieved of his duties after making comments about consequences for criticizing ICE agents.

Alex Pretti

A U.S. citizen who was killed during recent protests against ICE operations.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that is purchasing the warehouses and planning to operate the detention centers.

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What they’re saying

“If it's a homegrown criminal, I have no problem. We're studying the laws right now, Pam [Bondi, the attorney general] is studying. If we can do that, that's good.”

— Donald Trump, President

“If you call ICE agents names like being the 'gestapo', that there are consequences to using that kind of speech, 'as we saw yesterday' which was referring to the killing of Alex Pretti.”

— Greg Bovino, Former Commander-at-Large, U.S. Border Patrol

What’s next

The administration is continuing to acquire warehouses across the country, with plans to establish a network of up to 23 detention centers. Local communities are organizing protests and pushing back against the plans, with some warehouse owners already backing out of deals with ICE.

The takeaway

This story highlights the administration's apparent efforts to expand its detention and enforcement capabilities, raising concerns about potential infringements on civil liberties and free speech. It underscores the need for vigilance and community organizing to prevent these facilities from being used to target and imprison U.S. citizens who criticize the government.