ICE Drops Plans to Convert Nearly a Dozen Warehouses into Detention Centers After Spending About $1 Billion

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement purchased nearly a dozen commercial warehouses in the first three months of 2026 as part of an effort to expand detention capacity. Usa Today reported that the agency spent upwards of $1 billion on the purchases before federal, state and local officials announced in June that the projects would not move forward.

DHS indicated in court records that it intends to sell a warehouse purchased in Romulus, Michigan. The agency stated it is moving swiftly to utilize existing detention space with state and county partners rather than converting empty warehouses into detention sites. DHS added that it has remained singularly focused on removing criminal illegal aliens from the United States.

In Social Circle, Georgia, ICE bought a more than 1-million-square-foot warehouse for $128 million. City officials said on June 18 that the federal government confirmed it is no longer pursuing the project and that the property could be sold if no other federal agencies express interest. U.S.

Sen. John Fetterman stated on June 22 that ICE canceled plans to convert two Pennsylvania warehouses purchased for a combined $206.9 million into detention centers in Tremont and Upper Bern townships. In a June 22 court filing, the government said it no longer intends to retrofit the Romulus warehouse and plans to sell it.

Plans for a warehouse in Socorro, Texas, have also been scrapped, according to U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued a joint statement on June 18 citing a New York Times report that ICE had abandoned plans for a warehouse in Roxbury along with six others.