ICE Buys San Antonio Warehouse for Detention Facility, Sparking Outcry

The federal immigration agency has acquired a large warehouse, drawing swift criticism from local leaders and community members.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:07pm

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The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has purchased a 640,000-square-foot warehouse in San Antonio, Texas, to use as a detention facility. The acquisition has sparked outrage from local officials and residents, who are concerned about the impact of ICE's expanded presence in the community.

Why it matters

The purchase of this facility by ICE signals the agency's continued emphasis on immigration enforcement and detention capacity, despite ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and its impact on local communities. The strong opposition from San Antonio leaders and residents highlights the divisive nature of these issues.

The details

ICE has confirmed the purchase of the facility, though the exact location remains undisclosed. The warehouse, previously owned by Oakmont Industrial Group, is assessed at $37.6 million and was built in 2022. ICE has stated that the facility will not be used for warehousing, but rather as a 'very well structured detention facility meeting our regular detention standards.' The agency says it routinely conducts law enforcement activities across the country and is actively working to expand detention space.

  • ICE finalized the deal on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • Reports of ICE's acquisition of the facility surfaced on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration enforcement agency that has purchased the warehouse facility in San Antonio.

Marc Whyte

A San Antonio City Councilman who cited information from 'city management' about ICE's acquisition of the warehouse.

Tommy Calvert

A Bexar County Commissioner who expressed concern that the facility 'will traffic some of the most disreputable commercial activity since WWII.'

Jalen McKee-Rodriguez

A San Antonio City Councilman who previously urged constituents to contact Oakmont Industrial Group to protest a potential deal with the federal government.

Isabel Herrera

A community member who stated during a City Council meeting that 'Your hands are not tied. Even though the operator and owner of the warehouse is the federal government, local authority still matters.'

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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)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

City officials stated they received 'no direct information' about the sale and have no zoning authority over the property due to federal involvement. However, some council members, including Marina Alderete Gavito and Sukh Kaur, are exploring potential responses, such as monitoring civil rights violations and establishing a legal defense fund for immigrants.

The takeaway

The acquisition of this facility by ICE signals a continued emphasis on immigration enforcement and detention capacity. While the agency maintains this is a standard operational practice, the strong local opposition highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and its impact on communities.