Salt Lake City Mayor Vows to Fight Planned ICE 'Mega Center'

10,000-person detention facility would strain city resources, officials say

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:09pm

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A photorealistic painting of an empty industrial warehouse with large windows and loading docks, the building bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of isolation and unease.The planned ICE detention center looms over Salt Lake City, raising concerns about the facility's strain on local resources and infrastructure.Salt Lake City Today

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said she was told during a meeting with federal officials that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to build a massive 'mega' detention center in the city with capacity for 7,500 to 10,000 people. Mendenhall vowed to use 'every tool at the City's disposal to stop it', citing concerns over public safety, air quality, and water usage.

Why it matters

The planned ICE detention center has sparked outrage among local leaders in Salt Lake City, who argue it would overwhelm the city's infrastructure and resources. The facility is part of ICE's broader 'reengineering initiative' to expand the nation's immigration detention network by converting industrial buildings into new detention centers.

The details

According to Mendenhall, ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall and Deputy Chief of Staff Tim Kaiser told her during a virtual meeting that the agency plans to build one of its 'mega' detention centers in Salt Lake City. The facility would have a capacity of 7,500 to 10,000 people, making it one of the largest immigration detention centers in the country. Mendenhall said she raised concerns about the facility's impact on zoning, infrastructure, economic development, and public safety, but ICE officials did not provide specific details on those issues.

  • On March 17, Mendenhall sent a letter to ICE asking for an urgent meeting about the agency's $145.4 million purchase of a warehouse in Salt Lake City.
  • Last week, the Salt Lake City Council approved a cap on water usage by large government facilities, proposed by Mendenhall after learning of ICE's warehouse purchase.
  • During the meeting with ICE officials last week, they indicated they are waiting for a due diligence report on the warehouse and expect to begin work on the site in the coming weeks and months.

The players

Erin Mendenhall

The mayor of Salt Lake City who is vowing to fight the planned ICE detention center.

Charles Wall

The deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Tim Kaiser

The deputy chief of staff to the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Jenny Wilson

The mayor of Salt Lake County who has condemned the planned detention center.

Salt Lake City Council

The city council that approved a cap on water usage by large government facilities in response to the ICE warehouse purchase.

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What they’re saying

“It would represent a hub in the 'hub and spoke' model”

— Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City

“I continue to share the deep concerns of many of our neighbors related to public safety, air quality, and potential impacts to the Great Salt Lake due to increased water use”

— Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City

What’s next

Mendenhall said she asked ICE officials if they plan to coordinate with Salt Lake City on changes to the building and safety measures, but they only committed to consulting the city's fire marshal. She said she will continue to be transparent with the public about the situation as she learns more details.

The takeaway

The planned ICE detention center has sparked fierce opposition from local leaders in Salt Lake City, who argue it would overwhelm the city's resources and infrastructure. Mendenhall has vowed to use every legal means available to stop the facility, underscoring the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and Democratic-led cities.