On February 3, 2026, reports confirmed that ICE has completed the purchase of a 640,000-square-foot warehouse located on the East Side of San Antonio, which it plans to transform into a detention facility. This acquisition is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to ramp up immigration enforcement, specifically targeting the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants.
The warehouse, owned by Oakmont Industrial Group, has been vacant for several years. While ICE has not publicly confirmed many details regarding the purchase, sources familiar with the transaction suggest the facility will serve as a "processing center." This site is expected to play a critical role in a larger network aimed at expediting deportations across Texas.
Local leaders, including District 2 City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Precinct 4 Bexar Commissioner Tommy Calvert, have voiced their opposition to the new facility, fearing that it could turn San Antonio into a hub for large-scale detentions. "This administration is not affirming our community's values for freedom and democracy," Calvert stated, emphasizing the ethical concerns surrounding the treatment of detainees.
Efforts to block the sale, including zoning petitions and environmental studies, have been met with the realization that local regulations do not apply to federal entities like ICE. Councilman Marc Whyte (D10) commented that local authorities possess no power to dictate the property's use due to ICE's federal jurisdiction.
Community backlash has intensified as local activists argue that ICE operations are reminiscent of militarized policing. Critics point to data indicating that a significant portion of individuals detained by ICE has no criminal convictions, highlighting concerns over the growing trend of mass detention.
As the conversation surrounding immigration continues, municipal officials are exploring measures to address community concerns while navigating federal regulations. The reactions from local leaders reflect the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and community response in San Antonio.