San Antonio asks court to pause planned ICE warehouse conversion

San Antonio is asking a federal court to prevent the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement from developing a proposed East Side detention and processing facility until they complete an environmental review. The city filed its lawsuit on Oct. 13, alleging the agencies failed to assess environmental consequences and reasonable alternatives.

The suit challenges plans to convert a warehouse at 542 S.E. Loop 410. It is a request for court action, not a ruling: the complaint’s allegations have not been adjudicated, and filing the case does not itself halt development.

What the city says needs review

The city alleges violations of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. It says the federal agencies did not adequately examine the effects of the project or consider alternatives before proceeding. San Antonio also raises concerns about water and sewer infrastructure and the possibility of effects on surface waters. Those are allegations in the lawsuit, not findings by a court.

The city says it sought information from federal officials about the project and argues the environmental review should happen before development moves forward. The mayor has defended the lawsuit as a way to obtain information about the facility and its possible long-term effects.

DHS disputed the city’s stated rationale in comments to The Texas Tribune, saying San Antonio was more interested in opposing federal immigration policy than protecting the environment. The department also said it was working with state and county partners to use existing detention space.

Facility plans and council objections

The warehouse is reported to be about 640,000 square feet. DHS reportedly purchased it for $66.1 million, and a $17.3 million contract was awarded to GardaWorld Federal Services to convert the building. News accounts have described a proposed scale of up to 1,500 people, but differ on what that figure measures; it should not be read as a confirmed occupancy or final operating capacity.

On Oct. 8, the City Council directed SAWS and CPS Energy to study utility impacts at the site. Council members Marc Whyte and Misty Spears cast the only votes against that direction, and both publicly opposed the lawsuit on Oct. 13.

Whyte characterized the litigation as costly and unlikely to stop the facility. San Antonio Report reported his estimate that it could cost $500,000 or more. City Attorney Andy Segovia did not give a final cost estimate, saying expenses would depend on how the case proceeds. The estimate is Whyte’s, not an established city cost.