SAN ANTONIO – Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is urging the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider plans to convert an East Side warehouse into a detention facility for immigrants. This call to action highlights community concerns regarding the implications of such a facility on local economic activity and public trust.
The federal government recently acquired a substantial 640,000 square-foot warehouse located at 542 SE Loop 410 for over $66 million. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed this purchase but has not released specific details regarding its intended use or timeline for operations. However, it has indicated that the facility will serve as a detention center.
According to reports from credible sources such as The Washington Post and The Dallas Morning News, the San Antonio location is expected to function primarily as a processing facility, accommodating up to 1,500 beds, rather than operating as a traditional detention center.
Earlier this year, Mayor Jones, alongside other local officials, expressed their opposition to these plans during a meeting with then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, requesting a more in-depth conversation about the matter. In a recent letter to Noem’s successor, Markwayne Mullin, Jones noted that she had yet to receive a response to her previous inquiries.
“I hope to have a more productive and transparent engagement with your office as we aim to balance public safety and public trust,” Jones wrote, emphasizing the community’s reluctance to host an ICE facility, which she believes could further hinder economic development in an area already struggling for growth.
In light of these developments, the DHS has reportedly halted the purchase of new facilities while it reviews contracts signed under the previous administration. This scrutiny extends to completed purchases, including the San Antonio warehouse.
In the meantime, the city is exploring legal avenues. San Antonio City Council members have directed staff to assess whether the planned facility complies with federal laws, including environmental regulations. During a recent presentation, city staff revealed that discussions were ongoing with a national law firm specializing in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance.
City Attorney Andy Segovia informed Mayor Jones that preparations for potential court documents aimed at filing a complaint are underway. Notably, a federal judge in Maryland recently paused similar plans to convert a warehouse into a detention facility, following a lawsuit by the state’s attorney general claiming non-compliance with required environmental reviews.
While the city is considering its legal options, it has not yet made a definitive decision regarding the filing of a complaint. Additionally, the City Council is set to vote on city code changes concerning private detention facilities during its upcoming meeting on April 16.
