Trump Administration Plans Massive Expansion of Immigrant Detention Centers

The White House aims to spend $38.3 billion to acquire warehouses across the country and convert them into detention facilities that could hold up to 10,000 people at a time.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Trump administration's aggressive anti-immigration agenda has sparked fierce opposition in cities where federal agents conduct raids. Plans to acquire warehouses as detention centers—or what some have described as "concentration camps"—have drawn condemnation from lawmakers and communities across the country. Documents show the administration plans to spend $38.3 billion to buy 16 buildings to hold 1,000-1,500 people each, as well as 8 larger detention centers that could hold up to 10,000 people awaiting deportation.

Why it matters

The administration's mass detention plan has raised concerns about the treatment of immigrants, with reports of medical neglect and abusive conditions in existing ICE detention facilities. Critics argue the warehouses are more akin to "concentration camps" than humane detention centers, and question whether small towns have the infrastructure to support thousands of detainees.

The details

ICE has already spent over $690 million purchasing at least 8 warehouses in several states, and is pursuing additional acquisitions in New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia. Communities are rallying against the plan, with one New York congressman saying 25,000 people in his district have signed a petition opposing the use of a local warehouse to house immigrants. There are also concerns about potential corruption, as one proposed site is owned by a Trump donor who would financially benefit.

  • In recent weeks, ICE has purchased at least 8 warehouses in Maryland, Arizona, Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
  • ICE is pursuing additional warehouse acquisitions in New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president whose anti-immigration agenda has driven the administration's push to massively expand immigrant detention facilities.

Rep. Seth Moulton

A Democratic congressman from Massachusetts who condemned the $38.3 billion plan to turn warehouses into "human holding facilities."

Rep. Pat Ryan

A Democratic congressman from New York who said 25,000 people in his district have signed a petition opposing the use of a local warehouse to house immigrants, and questioned the potential corruption involved.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen

A Democratic senator from Maryland who has spoken out against ICE's $100 million purchase of a warehouse in his state to house at least 1,000 people.

Carl Icahn

A former Trump adviser and multibillionaire whose warehouse in New York is being considered as a potential detention center, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

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What they’re saying

“Thirty-eight billion dollars. That's what Trump is spending to turn warehouses into human holding facilities. Not on schools. Not on healthcare. Not on veterans. On warehousing humans.”

— Rep. Seth Moulton, Congressman (Common Dreams)

“The site in my district that's proposed is owned by one of Trump's multibillionaire donors, who would directly financially benefit from this site. I'm telling you, we are not going to let this happen in my district.”

— Rep. Pat Ryan, Congressman (The Recount)

“This administration is spitting in the face of communities from Minneapolis to Maryland and wasting our tax dollars. We won't back down.”

— Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Senator (Common Dreams)

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.