ICE abandons $700 million warehouse detention plan

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reversed a major expansion effort that involved purchasing 11 warehouses for more than $1 billion to convert them into large migrant detention centers. The agency now plans to sell or transfer seven of the sites, including facilities in Romulus, Michigan; Social Circle, Georgia; and Socorro, Texas. The move follows lawsuits from Michigan and a Detroit suburb, community opposition over water, sewer and zoning issues, and internal audits showing the government paid far above market values for some properties.

Former Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem had championed the $38 billion plan to rapidly increase detention capacity, but her successor, Secretary Markwayne Mullin, halted further acquisitions. ICE spokesman said the department will “move swiftly to utilize existing detention space with our state and county partners.” Former ICE official Claire Trickler‑McNulty described the original scheme as “wildly foolhardy,” and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called the Romulus warehouse conversion an “abomination.”

The reversal signals a shift away from building new detention facilities toward relying on existing contracts and local partnerships.