SAN ANTONIO — The federal government has paused plans for a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility on San Antonio’s east side while it completes an environmental impact assessment, according to San Antonio City Council District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez.
McKee-Rodriguez said on social media that the federal review process has delayed the project, which federal officials had planned for a warehouse property near Interstate 10 and Loop 410 that was purchased for approximately $66 million. The facility had been scheduled to open in September.
McKee-Rodriguez said federal law requires an environmental impact assessment before the project can proceed.
“The federal government is required to complete an environmental impact assessment before moving forward with projects like this,” he said. “So things have slowed down while they work through that process.”
He also said similar detention facility projects across the country have faced legal challenges, including efforts to convert warehouse properties into immigration detention centers.
“Because of that, the planned project here in San Antonio is on a pause along with several others nationwide,” McKee-Rodriguez said.
The San Antonio proposal comes as members of Congress and immigration advocates raise concerns about federal detention facility contracts and conditions in Texas.
Earlier this week, Democratic members of Congress visited an ICE detention facility in Dilley operated by CoreCivic. Lawmakers said the company holds a five-year federal contract worth about $15 million per month to operate the facility, regardless of detainee population levels.
Lawmakers said fewer than 400 people, including 93 children, are currently detained at the Dilley facility.
Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva of Arizona’s 7th Congressional District said the contract structure results in significant per-person costs.
“When we started talking about the amount of resources that are being placed on a fixed basis of $15 million a month, what that equates to is $37,500 per person per month,” Grijalva said during the visit.
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat from Texas, said detainees raised concerns about medical access during the visit.
“I asked the detainees how often they see a doctor,” Garcia said. “They laughed. They said they only see nurses. They don’t get to see doctors.”
CoreCivic stated in a March 5, 2025 press release that its amended intergovernmental service agreement for the Dilley facility expires in March 2030 and may be extended. The company said the agreement includes a fixed monthly payment schedule tied to facility activation and projects approximately $180 million in annual revenue once fully operational, including medical services.
McKee-Rodriguez said the environmental review process for the San Antonio project will include opportunities for public participation through meetings and town halls.
“If and when they start that assessment here in San Antonio, we’ll make sure you know because that process includes public input,” he said.
He also said the city could take legal action if federal officials proceed without completing the required environmental review.
