Nation’s Largest Migrant Detention Center Planned for Vacant Texas Warehouse
Table of Contents
A vacant warehouse east of Dallas is poised to become the largest migrant detention center in the nation, raising concerns about infrastructure, human rights, and the escalating pace of deportations. The facility, located in Hutchins, Texas, a city of approximately 8,000 residents, could house up to 9,500 individuals as part of a broader initiative by the federal government to dramatically increase immigration enforcement.
Swift Expansion Sparks Local Opposition
Hutchins Mayor Mario Vasquez expressed shock and opposition to the plan, stating the city received little advance warning from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “No benefit to it whatsoever,” Vasquez said, reflecting the concerns of many local leaders. The proposed center reflects a growing tension across Texas as ICE moves forward with a significant, four-part expansion of its detention capacity.
Scale of the Expansion Revealed
An internal agency document, reviewed by The Dallas Morning News, details the Hutchins location and identifies three additional facilities across the state. Together, these sites would add at least 20,000 beds to ICE’s detention network. This expansion significantly increases the agency’s footprint in a state where Republican leaders have largely supported the administration’s immigration policies.
U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Terrell, defended the expansion, arguing it would “expedite” the removal of individuals deemed “criminal illegals” and enhance community safety. He further asserted that increased detention space was necessary due to policies enacted by the Biden administration.
Concerns Over Conditions and Capacity
However, critics warn that the sheer scale of the plan could overwhelm local resources, instill fear within immigrant communities, and create unsafe conditions within the detention centers themselves. The Rev. Eric Folkerth, a senior pastor at Kessler Park United Methodist Church, powerfully stated, “We should not be housing human beings in a warehouse meant for packages,” echoing concerns about the dehumanizing potential of such a large-scale facility. He and other members of the Clergy League for Emergency Action and Response rallied against the plan, citing potential strains on local infrastructure.
According to the ICE document, Hutchins and El Paso are slated to operate as “mega” detention centers, with the El Paso site accommodating approximately 8,500 people. Two smaller processing centers are also planned for San Antonio and Los Fresnos. The Washington Post previously reported on the federal government’s efforts to open new detention centers, and the newly released documents provide specific details regarding locations and capacities.
Lack of Transparency and Property Ownership
Dallas County Clerk John Warren confirmed that the county had not received any documentation related to the sale of the privately owned, 1 million-square-foot warehouse. Mayor Vasquez also indicated that the city had not received formal notification from federal authorities regarding the conversion plans and had not been contacted by any ICE representatives. The agency’s Dallas office did not respond to inquiries about the centers.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency, acknowledged the agency is expanding capacity nationwide in response to rising arrest numbers but stated they have no new detention sites to announce at this time. The spokesperson added that ICE is “targeting the worst of the worst,” claiming that 70% of arrests involve individuals charged with or convicted of crimes.
“Amazon Prime” for Deportations?
The push for increased efficiency within ICE was highlighted by acting director Todd Lyons, who, in April, suggested the agency should approach deportations with the same speed and precision as Amazon delivers packages. According to the Arizona Mirror, Lyons envisioned a system mirroring Amazon Prime “but with human beings.” Since then, ICE arrests and detentions have surged, with at least 65,000 people in custody as of November 30, according to data from TRAC, a research organization at Syracuse University.
Immigration attorneys and advocates believe the expansion plans signal an intent to significantly increase arrests. Chelsie Kramer, the Texas organizer for the American Immigration Council, emphasized that adding 20,000 beds is a clear indication of a major escalation in enforcement efforts. “They’re not doing it for no reason,” she said.
The planned Hutchins facility would be nearly double the size of the current largest detention center, Camp East Montana in El Paso, which can hold 5,000 people. Federal officials maintain that the new centers will streamline processing and reduce detention times by creating a centralized system for staging migrants for deportation.
However, Denise Gilman, co-director of the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, cautioned that the massive facilities could lead to dangerous, overcrowded conditions with inadequate hygiene and healthcare, potentially violating human rights. “Immigration detention is not intended to be punitive but an administrative measure,” she stated.
ICE plans to modify the warehouse structures to include essential facilities such as intake areas, housing units with restrooms and showers, a kitchen, dining areas, a medical unit, recreation areas, a law library, and administrative offices. Some facilities will also include dedicated housing for families.
Local Infrastructure Concerns
Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, whose district includes Hutchins, voiced opposition to the facility, citing a critical lack of basic services to support a population of thousands. “The infrastructure’s not there,” Price said. ICE officials have not disclosed details regarding the property acquisition, whether through lease or purchase.
The warehouse is owned by PS Hutchins Phase Two, a limited liability company registered in Delaware, with corporate filings linking it to a general business services firm, obscuring the ultimate owner’s identity. Attempts to reach the real estate broker listing the property were unsuccessful, as the broker reportedly stated they were unaware of any ICE plans and terminated the call. City records indicate no certificates of occupancy have been issued for the building for 2025 or 2026.
