Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County filed a joint lawsuit Monday in the U.S. District Court of Utah against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to halt the conversion of a warehouse into an immigration detention facility.
Allegations of unlawful conversion process
The lawsuit alleges that federal officials made an unlawful decision to convert the warehouse in Salt Lake City's Northwest Quadrant without following federal law. According to a press release from the City of Salt Lake, officials claim the process has been characterized by secrecy and a lack of communication with local leaders.
Details on warehouse acquisition deal
As KSLTV reported, ICE finalized a $145.44 million deal in March 2026 to acquire the 833,000-square-foot warehouse located at 6020 W. 300 South. The facility is intended to serve as a hub for detaining between 7,500 and 10,000 immigrants from across the Intermountain West.
Concerns regarding city resources and safety
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall stated that the facility would place an undue strain on the city's limited water supply and public utilities. She also cited concerns regarding public health, safety, and the inhumane nature of the proposed site.
Impact on regional infrastructure and values
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said the proposal is a "dire threat" to community values and would overwhelm regional infrastructure. The City of Salt Lake noted that the facility could hold at least twice as many people as the nearby Utah State Prison, potentially impacting sewage capacity, road wear, air quality, and local law enforcement needs.
Next steps in legal proceedings
The federal agencies have 20 days to respond to the complaint. While Governor Spencer Cox has supported the facility, the Department of Homeland Security previously ordered a pause for review in April.
