ICE's 'Mega-Warehouse' Detention Plan Sparks Bipartisan Alarm Over Scale and Safety
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is moving forward with a controversial plan to purchase and operate sprawling warehouse facilities as new immigration detention centers, a strategy that has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Capitol Hill to the communities slated to host them. Internal documents reviewed by NBC News reveal plans for more than 20 potential sites, with some facilities designed to hold upwards of 8,000 detainees—a scale that dwarfs the largest federal prison in the United States.
At least two properties have already been secured: a 418,000-square-foot warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, purchased for $70 million, and another facility near Philadelphia acquired last month for $87.4 million. The sheer size of the Arizona site, equivalent to seven football fields, caught local officials off guard. "We were not aware of the purchase, we had not been notified," Surprise city officials stated, highlighting a lack of federal communication.
This expansion comes amid mixed signals from the White House. While President Donald Trump recently suggested a potential "softer touch" following fatal shootings by federal agents, he simultaneously vowed to extend his administration's immigration enforcement crackdown to five additional cities.
The logistical and social implications of these "mega-warehouses" are fueling broad-based resistance. In Mississippi, Republican Senator Roger Wicker voiced strong opposition to a proposed site near Byhalia, arguing it would undermine local economic development and overwhelm the community. Democratic lawmakers have raised alarms over a facility in Roxbury, New Jersey, while advocates in Colorado warn that a remote location would severely hinder detainees' access to legal counsel and family visits.
Government contractors involved in the bidding process express deep practical concerns. Securing and training staff for facilities designed to hold thousands, particularly in rural areas, is seen as a monumental challenge. One executive warned that the water supply in one town could be critically strained. Another pointed to the inherent risks of managing any detention population exceeding 1,500 individuals, citing safety and oversight difficulties.
These fears are compounded by the troubled history of existing large-scale ICE facilities. The temporary detention center at Fort Bliss, Texas, has been marred by detainee deaths, including one ruled a homicide, leading to congressional investigations and a recent court order mandating unannounced visits by lawmakers.
As the plan progresses, the debate transcends typical partisan divides, uniting local residents, immigration activists, and lawmakers from both parties in questioning the feasibility, humanity, and transparency of detaining immigrants in repurposed industrial spaces on an unprecedented scale.
Community Voices:
Elena Rodriguez, Community Organizer in Phoenix: "This isn't just a building; it's a looming shadow over our community. They're planning a human warehouse, not a detention center. The lack of notice shows a blatant disregard for local voices and the well-being of thousands of people who would be trapped inside."
David Chen, Small Business Owner in Surprise, AZ: "I'm conflicted. We need federal investment, but this feels wrong. My main concern is the strain on our town's infrastructure—water, roads, police. Was there no assessment done? It seems recklessly planned."
Rep. Marcus Johnson (D-Colorado): "Placing a detention center hours from Denver is a deliberate barrier to justice. It effectively denies detainees their right to legal representation and family support. This is a policy of isolation and neglect, dressed up as logistics."
Janice Harper, Retired Teacher in Mississippi: "Absolutely not. Our town was promised jobs and growth, not a prison camp. The idea of 'flooding' our peaceful area with up to 10,000 detainees is terrifying and frankly, un-American. We will fight this with everything we have."