DHS responds to pause on East Side ICE Facility amid environmental protection compliance

DHS responds to pause on East Side ICE Facility amid environmental protection compliance by Jessica Warner Tue, November 10, 2026 at 2:41 PM 9 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Federal immigration officials say they have purchased a facility in San Antonio that they expect will bring more than 1,200 jobs and generate millions in economic activity, as the agency moves to expand detention space. (SBG San Antonio) Comment on this story 0 Comment Share story Share topics: Immigration ICE Detention facility San Antonio National Environmental Policy Act Lawsuit Economic impact LULAC SAN ANTONIO - Federal immigration officials say they have purchased a facility in San Antonio that they expect will bring more than 1,200 jobs and generate millions in economic activity, as the agency moves to expand detention space. In a press release, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it purchased a facility in San Antonio, Texas. ICE said the site will undergo community impact studies and a “rigorous due diligence process” to ensure there is no hardship on local utilities or infrastructure prior to purchase. ICE said the facility and its construction are expected to bring 1,211 jobs to the area and contribute $134.2 million to gross domestic product. The agency said it is also projected to bring in more than $26.6 million in tax revenue. The press release also said the economic projections do not include what ICE described as additional benefits from “removing criminals from the streets,” and said the agency is targeting “criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, gang members and more.” ICE said that “thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill,” it has new funding to expand detention space “to keep these criminals off American streets before they are removed for good from our communities.” RELATED | LULAC backs proposed limits on SAPD contact with ICE, citing fears over reporting crimes LULAC’s Texas director is supporting proposed limits on when San Antonio police contact federal immigration authorities, saying fear of deportation can discourage people from reporting crimes or seeking help. Under the proposal, SAPD personnel could contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about someone only if that person was already being taken to jail on new charges or other warrants and had a positive National Crime Information Center hit for an ICE administrative warrant. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice reached out to the City of San Antonio to begin discussions about how the federal government plans to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act as the city challenges a proposed ICE detention facility on the East Side. In a press release from the San Antonio City Attorney’s Office, the city said the outreach came after San Antonio filed its lawsuit. The city said it is “currently in discussions with the DOJ on a proposed agreement to pause the lawsuit while environmental reviews are conducted.” Under the proposed agreement, the city said, “work to convert the property into a detention facility would not proceed during that process.” The city said details are still being discussed, but added, “We are encouraged by the move toward compliance.” Trending Family of five killed after SUV leaves wet I-10 overpass in Seguin, parents identified Rain-slicked IH-10 in Seguin turned deadly when a Chevrolet Tahoe left an overpass near FM 725, killing a Porter family of five, including three children. FM 725 was shut for hours as police investigate. Two adults, three children killed after vehicle goes off bridge near I-10 in Seguin A single-vehicle crash near FM 725 and Interstate 10 prompted road closures in Seguin on Sunday afternoon, according to the Seguin Police Department.In a traffic alert posted to Facebook, police said at 1:30 p.m. on Man hunted down by armed suspects, beaten and killed over $12K in drug money Man hunted down by armed suspects, beaten and killed over $12K in drug money Suspect allegedly stalked ex-girlfriend, tracked her vehicle, and struck her with dumbbell A San Antonio police detective is seeking an arrest warrant for a 34-year-old man accused of stalking and threatening his ex-girlfriend, including messages that said, “I’ll kill you I should just run right into your 'I'm going to kill you tonight': San Antonio man accused of stalking ex-girlfriend 'I'm going to kill you tonight': San Antonio man accused of stalking ex-girlfriend NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 9 NEW DHS responds to pause on East Side ICE Facility amid environmental protection compliance 22 NEW Ultra-accessible tunnel to link Morgan’s campus destinations for all abilities 6 Man hunted down by armed suspects, beaten and killed over $12K in drug money 3 New Fiesta celebration aims to fill NIOSA void, big announcement coming Wednesday