{"id":2571323,"date":"2026-02-19T07:49:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T12:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/communities-protest-ice-purchases-of-warehouses-nationwide\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T07:55:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T12:55:07","slug":"communities-protest-ice-purchases-of-warehouses-nationwide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/communities-protest-ice-purchases-of-warehouses-nationwide\/","title":{"rendered":"Communities protest ICE purchases of warehouses nationwide"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcommunities-protest-ice-purchases-of-warehouses-nationwide%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2571323&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Communities across several states are increasingly resisting the federal government\u2019s effort to purchase and convert warehouses into detention centers for immigrants, complicating ICE\u2019s plan to expand detention capacity amid the trump administration\u2019s deportation efforts.<\/p>\n<p>Key points:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Local officials and residents have successfully blocked or delayed multiple warehouse purchases, arguing that detention centers would harm community character, safety, and human rights. Notable examples include a warehouse deal in Kansas City that fell through and involvement by Democrat mayor Quinton Lucas.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; In Texas and nearby areas,similar pushback led some warehouse owners to back out of talks with ICE,with lawmakers and residents praising public engagement as a tool to halt planned conversions. Texas state Rep. rafael Anchia emphasized that public action can influence outcomes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Public sentiment toward ICE has weakened over time, and officials in New England and elsewhere have urged opposition to potential new detention sites. Meanwhile, ICE has faced internal and external pushback, and some statements about specific property deals have been corrected or retracted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Despite the protests and political pressure,ICE maintains that it remains committed to acquiring space,arguing that the government will pursue other options if a particular site is blocked,and that some detention facilities are still needed and properly overseen.<\/p>\n<p>the article portrays a growing trend of community-led resistance affecting the federal plan to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >expand immigrant detention capacity<\/a>, with mixed views on its ultimate effectiveness.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Inside ICE&rsquo;s battle with local Democrats to convert warehouses into detention centers<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2501253\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>State and local officials have found a new way to stop President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a> mass <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/more-than-100-immigrants-deported-to-guatemala\/\" title=\"More than 100 ... deported to Guatemala\">deportation operation<\/a> &mdash; and so far, it is working.<\/p>\n<p>Elected officials and residents in communities nationwide have been largely successful in recent weeks in sabotaging the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\">Trump administration&rsquo;s<\/a> efforts to buy and convert warehouses into detention centers for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illegal-immigrants\/\">illegal immigrants<\/a> in federal custody.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4459326\/small-security-force-stay-minnesota-despite-ice-surge-ending-tom-homan\/\">Small &#8216;security force&#8217; to stay in Minnesota despite ICE surge ending: Homan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4457777\/republicans-against-ice-detention-centers-economic-concerns\/\">Republicans rise up against new ICE detention centers, appealing to DHS on infrastructural and economic concerns&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4458854\/homan-noem-electing-right-leaders-remark\/\">Homan unsure what Noem meant by &#8216;electing the right leaders&#8217; remark<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ICE\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> has faced pushback for the past month as it tries to purchase large, empty buildings on the outskirts of a number of major U.S. cities. That has complicated the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-block-every-effort-to-keep-noncitizens-from-voting\/\" title=\"Democrats Block Every Effort To Keep Noncitizens From Voting\">federal agency&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s search for space and created a new way for local communities to hold up Trump&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/deportation\/\">deportation<\/a> operation.<\/p>\n<p>A former senior ICE official familiar with the Trump administration&rsquo;s plans to convert the warehouses into additional detention centers said the pushback is a problem, but does not expect it to ultimately prevent the agency from acquiring 10 warehouses.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Honestly, the government will just go somewhere else. They&rsquo;re going to find people that want to sell property,&rdquo; the official said in a phone call, adding that the government is offering  &ldquo;top dollar&rdquo; for buildings that are &ldquo;sitting unused.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Kansas City, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/missouri\/\">Missouri<\/a>, Mayor Quinton Lucas, a Democrat, issued a statement last week celebrating how the purchase of a warehouse on the city&rsquo;s south side had <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kcmo.gov\/Home\/Components\/News\/News\/2916\/231\">fallen through amid pushback<\/a> from some residents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A man takes photos of a warehouse as federal officials tour the facility to consider repurposing it as an ICE detention facility on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Belton, Missouri. (AP Photo\/Charlie Riedel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&ldquo;While Kansas City welcomes any news suggesting the halting of a planned conversion of a warehouse for goods and products into a human encampment, I will continue with our legislative,&nbsp;legal efforts, and community&nbsp;engagement&nbsp;to ensure no warehouse or similar facility in Kansas City or nearby is converted to a mass encampment warehouse of persons that is offensive to the dignity and human rights of those who would be detained within it,&rdquo; Lucas said.<\/p>\n<p>Around the same time this month, the owner of a warehouse in Dallas suburb Hutchins, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\">Texas<\/a>, backed out of talks with ICE following pushback.<\/p>\n<p>Texas state Rep. Rafael Anchia <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RafaelAnchia\/status\/2023495601002852651\">applauded Dallas-area residents<\/a> in a post to X.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Public engagement works. Property owners have affirmed they will not sell their warehouse for use as an ICE detention center,&rdquo; Anchia wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, a state representative in northern Dallas, called the outcome &ldquo;proof that when neighbors come together, raise their voices, and work in partnership with local and state leaders, we can protect the character and future of our cities and stand up for what is right.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Detainees talk on telephones at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, California, Aug. 28, 2019. (AP Photo\/Chris Carlson, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A second source, a former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/miles-anonymous-taylor-accidentally-exposes-the-fraudulence-of-the-mainstream-media\/\" title=\"Miles &#039;Anonymous&#039; Taylor Accidentally Exposes the Fraudulence of the Mainstream Media\">senior administration official<\/a>, maintained that the community blowback is not having a serious impact on deal-making and claimed that public concern is based on false information.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Business owners want to do business with the government. The issue is at the local level and the misinformation that is fed to the public about the conditions of these facilities of which many are better than regular state and county detention centers and have more oversight,&rdquo; the second person wrote in a text message. <\/p>\n<p>ICE has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-court-is-fast-tracking-sidney-powells-request-for-a-forensic-exam-of-dominion-voting-machines\/\" title=\"Federal Court Is Fast...Tracking Sidney Powell\u2019s Request For A Forensic Exam Of Dominion Voting Machines\">faced significant blowback<\/a> over the past two months, more than at any point in its two decades, and public polling shows that support for the agency&rsquo;s work has declined over the past year, including among Republican voters following the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens encountered during immigration enforcement in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minneapolis\/\">Minneapolis<\/a> last month.<\/p>\n<p>State and local officials have continued this week to try to block ICE from housing those in detention in their backyard.<\/p>\n<p>In New England, Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) urged her neighbor, Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kelly-ayotte\/\">Kelly Ayotte<\/a> (R-NH), to block a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/news\/governor-healey-calls-on-governor-ayotte-to-oppose-new-ice-detention-center-in-new-hampshire\">potential real estate sale<\/a> for one such detention center &mdash; even though it is not in her state of Massachusetts.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4460265\/dhs-spokeswoman-tricia-mclaughlin-quits-noem-impeachment-calls-continue\/\">DHS SPOKESWOMAN TRICIA MCLAUGHLIN QUITS AS NOEM IMPEACHMENT CALLS CONTINUE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We certainly should not be allowing ICE to build new human warehouses when they&nbsp;can&rsquo;t&nbsp;be trusted to keep people safe and protect due process,&rdquo; Healey said in a press release.<\/p>\n<p>In Chester, New York, an ICE spokesperson told local media last week that the agency had <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BlaiseGomez12\/status\/2022325786783416721\">purchased a former Pep Boys warehouse<\/a> owned by a former Trump adviser. On Tuesday, it <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesunion.com\/hudsonvalley\/news\/article\/ice-mistake-warehouse-chester-false-21359388.php\">retracted<\/a> the statement and said it had not purchased the facility amid public protest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Locals block ICE&#8217;s warehouse detention plan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2655,"featured_media":2571324,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26015800828639.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[8364,3813,50552,4542,74102],"class_list":["post-2571323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ice","tag-immigration","tag-nationwide-2","tag-protest","tag-warehouses"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26015800828639.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2655"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2571323"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571327,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571323\/revisions\/2571327"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2571324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2571323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2571323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2571323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}