City of San Antonio sues ICE to stop detention center
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People walk toward the entrance of the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall last month. Photo: San Antonio Express-News/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images
The city of San Antonio sued ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday to stop the agencies from opening an immigration detention center on the East Side.
Why it matters: City councilmembers have spent much of the year criticizing ICE and the planned center, but it hasn't been clear they have the power to stop it. The lawsuit is their first attempt to prevent, or at least slow down, the center's opening.
Zoom in: The lawsuit seeks to halt work on the planned detention center until the federal government completes an environmental review as required by federal law.
- "While the legal action is to delay, our hope is that — looking at the significant impact that facility may have — that the department makes their independent decision … to do something different," city attorney Andy Segovia said.
Catch up quick: ICE purchased a vacant warehouse on Loop 410 near Interstate 10 early this year, and reportedly plans to open a 1,500-person detention center this winter.
What they're saying: San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said the city has requested information about the proposed detention center and not received it.
- "Our community deserves basic answers as we read about unsanitary conditions, insufficient medical care, unsafe food and water," Jones said, referring to immigration detention centers elsewhere. "San Antonio is done waiting."
- "If they do their due diligence, they are going to find that the facility that they purchased is too close to schools, community centers and parks," said District 2 Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, who represents the area where the center is planned.
The other side: "Let's be honest about this. This isn't about the environment. It's about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe again," a DHS spokesperson told Axios in a statement.
- "DHS is moving swiftly to utilize EXISTING detention space with our state and county partners," the spokesperson added.
The big picture: A lack of detention space has been a bottleneck in President Trump's push for mass deportations — and has led to overcrowding and illnesses at ICE's facility in Dilley, south of San Antonio.
- ICE had planned to renovate warehouses into large-scale detention spaces in several cities.
Yes, but: The agency has pulled back on some plans, including in Georgia and Utah, following local backlash, USA Today reported.
- ICE also agreed to pause a proposed detention center in Arizona during the summer for an environmental review.
What's next: Bexar County commissioners on Tuesday are scheduled to discuss potential legal action related to the detention center.