ICE Secretly Buying Warehouses for Detention Centers Across U.S.

Federal agency purchasing large facilities in unsuspecting communities without local leaders' knowledge

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is quietly purchasing dozens of warehouses across the country to convert into large-scale immigration detention facilities, sometimes without the knowledge of local officials. The agency plans to spend $38.3 billion to increase detention beds to 92,600 nationwide, with at least 20 communities slated for these new detention centers that can hold upwards of 10,000 people each.

Why it matters

The secretive nature of ICE's warehouse purchases has raised concerns among local leaders and civil rights advocates about the lack of transparency and community input. There are also questions about the environmental and economic impacts these large detention facilities could have on unsuspecting towns and cities.

The details

ICE has already purchased warehouses for detention use in several states, including a massive 826,000-square-foot facility in Socorro, Texas that is larger than four Walmart Supercenters. The agency is using third-party brokers in some cases to finalize these purchases without alerting local officials until after the deals are done. This has led to pushback, such as in New Hampshire where the governor said ICE will no longer pursue plans for a warehouse detention center after sustained community opposition. The State of Maryland has also sued the administration to block a proposed warehouse detention site in Washington County.

  • In February 2026, ICE announced plans to spend $38.3 billion to increase detention beds to 92,600 nationwide.
  • In recent months, ICE has purchased warehouses for detention use in several states, including Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Oklahoma.

The players

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, including the operation of immigration detention facilities.

David Hernandez

Associate professor and co-chair of the Critical Race and Political Economy Department at Mount Holyoke College, who conducts research on U.S. immigration enforcement policy.

Kelly Ayotte

Republican governor of New Hampshire, who said ICE will no longer pursue plans for a warehouse detention center in Merrimack, New Hampshire after meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

State of Maryland

The state that has sued the federal administration to block a proposed warehouse detention site in Washington County, alleging the project was conducted behind closed doors without proper environmental review and public participation.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

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.