Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a lawsuit against the federal government to prevent the development of a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Surprise, Arizona. The lawsuit challenges the site’s location near a chemical storage facility containing hazardous materials and alleges violations of environmental and immigration laws.
The lawsuit, filed on April 25, 2026, asserts that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE failed to conduct or disclose required environmental reviews before acquiring the property, which previously served as a warehouse. Court documents reveal the warehouse sits directly across from a facility storing thousands of gallons of chemicals used in semiconductor production.
The facility, which could detain between several hundred to 1,500 individuals, was purchased by the federal government for $70 million in January 2026. Since then, over $300 million has been allocated through contracts to retrofit the building, originally designed for industrial distribution, to accommodate detainees. The lawsuit alleges this violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, which requires detention to occur at “appropriate” locations.
An ICE spokesperson responded that the agency conducted evaluations to minimize environmental impacts before purchasing the site, including impacts to protected species and cultural resources. The spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit’s environmental claims as politically motivated, stating it is “about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe.”
Why it matters
The lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and local governments concerned about environmental safety and community impact. It also raises questions about compliance with federal laws governing immigration detention facility standards and environmental protections. Similar legal challenges have emerged in other states, reflecting widespread opposition to expanding mass detention facilities.
In 2026, Congress allocated $45 billion to ICE to expand detention capacity for single adults and families, enabling purchases and conversions of warehouses nationwide. Other states, including Maryland and Georgia, have initiated lawsuits or passed resolutions opposing similar projects, citing infrastructure strain and environmental hazards.
Background
The federal government’s push to increase immigration detention capacity has met resistance from municipal and state officials concerned about the location and conditions of these new facilities. Previous litigation has led to preliminary injunctions, such as a recent Maryland court order halting construction of a detention center near Williamsport amid contested environmental reviews.
Arizona’s lawsuit adds to a growing chorus of legal and political opposition that may affect future ICE facility deployments as advocates call for greater transparency and adherence to environmental and immigration statutes.
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Sources
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