Arizona AG Sues to Stop ICE Detention Center in Surprise Over Environmental Review

Arizona sued the federal government to block a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement mass detention facility near a site in the city of Surprise. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes's office filed the lawsuit on Friday, claiming the Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not conducted or publicized the required environmental reviews for opening the facility.

The lawsuit alleges the proposed facility violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, which mandates the federal government arrange for appropriate places for immigration detention.

The proposed facility could house anywhere from hundreds to up to 1,500 individuals. The federal government purchased a warehouse in the city of Surprise for $70 million on January 23. The federal government has issued contracts for over $300 million to retrofit the warehouse in Surprise.

The warehouse in Surprise was constructed as an industrial distribution facility for up to four commercial tenants. The warehouse in Surprise sits directly across the street from a chemical storage facility containing thousands of gallons of hazardous materials.

The warehouse in Surprise includes more than 100,000 feet of containerized hazardous materials storage for chemicals used in semiconductor production.

An ICE spokesperson stated that before purchasing the site, the agency carefully evaluated the use of existing facilities to help minimize environmental impacts, including potential impacts to protected species, sensitive natural resources, and valued cultural resources.

Congress appropriated $45 billion to ICE in July 2025 for single adult alien detention capacity and family residential center capacity, to remain available for obligation through September 2029. "The Trump administration has run roughshod over federal law in its rush to expand detention capacity across the country," Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement.

" The Atlanta City Council approved a resolution earlier this week opposing the construction or operation of large-scale immigration detention centers in Atlanta. The resolution raised concerns about a recently purchased warehouse in Social Circle, Georgia, that could hold up to 10,000 detainees. DHS paused plans to open the detention center in Social Circle, Georgia.

City Manager Eric Taylor said he read about the pause online and that all ICE detention centers were paused while undergoing a process review. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit in March against ICE and DHS after the federal government purchased a warehouse near Williamsport to turn into a detention facility.

The government stated in responding court documents that all necessary reviews were conducted and the plaintiffs' claims did not demonstrate a preliminary injunction would be in the public interest.

A Maryland judge granted a preliminary injunction on April 15 to stop the construction of the detention facility near Williamsport while the lawsuit plays out. CBS News reported that DHS has faced opposition from other cities and states where the federal government plans to open mass detention facilities.

Local officials said the Georgia facility could strain infrastructure like water and sewer systems.