East Side Lawmaker Calls on City to Block Proposed ICE Detention Center: 'HELL NO'

State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins urges San Antonio leaders to deny zoning approval for planned ICE facility on the city's East Side.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:47pm

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State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins is calling on the City of San Antonio to deny zoning approval for a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center planned for the city's East Side. Gervin-Hawkins, who represents House District 120, says the facility would further burden a community that has long been targeted for unwanted development, and she is urging city leaders to block the proposal before any zoning change is considered.

Why it matters

The proposed ICE detention center reflects a broader pattern in which large-scale projects are introduced with promises of economic benefit, only for the East Side community to later face outcomes that bring increased harm, surveillance, or displacement. This situation has renewed scrutiny over how and where major developments are placed, and who ultimately bears their consequences.

The details

According to published reports, ICE is close to purchasing a 640,000-square-foot vacant warehouse at 542 S.E. Loop 410, with plans to convert the industrial property into a detention facility. The site's current zoning does not permit human occupancy, meaning any conversion would require a special-use permit or rezoning approved by the City of San Antonio. Gervin-Hawkins says the proposal is unacceptable and has called on city leaders to block it before any zoning change is considered.

  • ICE is close to purchasing the 640,000-square-foot warehouse property.

The players

Barbara Gervin-Hawkins

A state representative who serves House District 120 and is urging the City of San Antonio to deny zoning approval for the proposed ICE detention center.

Gina Ortiz Jones

The mayor of San Antonio, who Gervin-Hawkins is calling on to deny any special-use permit or rezoning request tied to the property and to hold a public hearing before any decision is made.

City of San Antonio

The local government that has the authority to approve or deny any zoning changes required for the proposed ICE detention center.

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What they’re saying

“Wednesday, I saw drawings from children in detention — stick figures with tears, standing behind fences. Now they want to build another one of these places right here on the East Side? Hell no. I've spent 30 years building up this community. We need jobs, not jails.”

— Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, State Representative (saobserver.com)

What’s next

Any effort to move forward with the proposed ICE detention center would require City Council action and could face significant public opposition.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the East Side community and large-scale development projects that are often introduced with promises of economic benefit, but ultimately bring increased harm, surveillance, and displacement to the residents. It underscores the need for more transparent and inclusive decision-making processes when it comes to major developments in the city.