Federal Immigration Officials Scout Warehouses as They Eye More Detention Space

Federal immigration authorities are touring and buying large warehouse facilities across the United States with plans to convert them into detention and processing centers, a move that highlights the Trump administration’s push to expand immigration detention capacity amid record arrests and rising resistance from local officials and advocates.

By Robert Kim – Staff Correspondent

Last Updated: Feb. 3, 2026

Warehouses Targeted for Detention and Processing Facilities

Federal officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been seen touring large commercial warehouses in multiple states as part of a broad effort to identify additional detention and processing space for migrants. Some of these buildings are being eyed for conversion into facilities capable of housing thousands of detainees, reflecting ICE’s ongoing struggle to manage increased arrests and its broader strategy to expand capacity beyond existing detention centers. The agency has also begun purchasing select properties, signaling that plans are moving beyond preliminary scouting and into acquisition. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Local Pushback and Moratorium Efforts

The warehouse scouting and purchase efforts have sparked significant pushback from local governments, residents, and advocacy groups. In Kansas City, for example, local leaders passed a five‑year moratorium on non‑city‑run detention facilities on the same day federal officials were observed touring a potential site. Warehouse owners in Minneapolis and other communities have pulled out of possible deals following public outcry, and several cities have issued statements urging ICE to look elsewhere or halt its plans altogether. These developments underscore widespread community unease about hosting large immigration detention facilities. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Purchases Reflect Broader Expansion Strategy

ICE has already completed purchases of warehouse properties in several states, including Arizona, Maryland and Pennsylvania, some for tens of millions of dollars. These acquisitions, revealed through deeds and local officials’ statements, demonstrate a more concrete phase of the detention expansion strategy. For example, a nearly 520,000‑square‑foot warehouse in Berks County, Pennsylvania, was purchased by the federal government with the intent to convert it into a processing or detention site. Similar acquisitions elsewhere indicate that the administration is preparing to establish more permanent facilities amid rising enforcement actions. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Federal Authority vs Local Concerns

Local officials in some jurisdictions have expressed frustration over the lack of communication and transparency from federal agencies about the intended use of these properties. In many places, local zoning and permitting processes offer little legal leverage to block federal action, since federal projects often proceed without regard to municipal regulations. This clash between federal authority and local control has prompted town councils and county boards — including in Merrimack, New Hampshire — to voice opposition or explore legal options to challenge the plans, despite limited power to restrict federal operations under the Constitution. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Implications for Immigration Policy and Detention System

The warehouse scouting and acquisition efforts highlight the Trump administration’s broader approach to immigration enforcement, which includes increasing arrests nationwide and more aggressive detention policies. With current detention capacity under strain, federal officials view expanded warehouse‑based facilities as a practical solution to process, house, and manage large numbers of migrants awaiting hearings or removal. However, civil rights advocates and community leaders warn that rapid conversion of industrial spaces could result in substandard conditions, logistical challenges, and deeper community tensions. As these plans unfold, debates over the human and political costs of detention expansion are likely to intensify. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}