The Department of Homeland Security has abandoned plans to convert a Salt Lake City warehouse into a massive immigration detention center, according to new court documents filed Wednesday. Attorneys for the federal government, Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County have requested a 60-day stay in an ongoing lawsuit following the reversal of plans for the facility located on the city's west side.
Federal Reversal of Plans
In a joint motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, lawyers for the city and county, alongside federal officials, requested a pause on the litigation. The filing, which had not been signed by a judge as of Wednesday evening, confirms that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement no longer intends to use the warehouse for detention purposes.
Disposition of the Facility
According to the court filing, federal defendants informed plaintiffs on July 17, 2026, that they would not proceed with the conversion of the Salt Lake warehouse into an immigration detention facility. Instead, officials intend to designate the site as excess property for disposition by the General Services Administration.
High Cost Acquisition
The warehouse, located at 6020 W. 300 South, was purchased earlier this year for $145.4 million. The acquisition was part of a planned $45 billion national expansion of immigration detention centers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The purchase occurred just days after the firing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Policy Review and Uncertainty
The decision to abandon the site follows months of uncertainty regarding the facility's purpose. Following the leadership transition to newly sworn-in Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS officials stated they were reviewing agency policies and proposals. This uncertainty follows a June report by The New York Times indicating the Department of Homeland Security planned to offload seven warehouses across the country, including the Salt Lake City location.
Local Opposition
Local leaders had fought the development of the facility, which was designed to hold up to 10,000 detainees. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson expressed significant opposition to the project. Mendenhall previously stated in June that the facility had no place in Salt Lake City due to concerns regarding its inhumane nature and the strain it would place on local infrastructure.
Infrastructure and Public Safety
Mendenhall specifically cited concerns regarding the impact on the city's limited water supply, the increased strain on public utility systems, and potential public health and safety impacts for residents. Additionally, opponents raised concerns regarding air pollution and the burden the facility would place on already strained police resources.
Community Advocacy and Future Concerns
While the reversal marks a victory for local advocates, some leaders noted that challenges remain for families in the region. House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, said in a statement that she was grateful to the community members whose advocacy made the victory possible. However, Romero noted that for many Utah families, the fear and uncertainty have not gone away, and emphasized the need to continue fighting to ensure such a facility is never established in the state.
