The Department of Homeland Security is weighing plans to sell or transfer several warehouses previously purchased for use as immigration detention centers, according to a report by the New York Times. The proposal includes a facility in Salt Lake City that was acquired earlier this year for more than $14 and 5 million.
Federal Warehouse Divestment Plans
According to reporting by the New York Times, the federal government purchased at least 11 warehouses across the United States at a total cost approaching $1 billion. These facilities were intended to support a plan to increase migrant detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now considering divesting from at least seven of those locations. The agency may choose to sell these properties or transfer them to other federal agencies for different uses.
Local Government Uncertainty
The Salt Lake City warehouse in question was purchased this year for over $145 million. The potential sale of this specific site has drawn responses from local government officials, though many remain uncertain about the final outcome.
A spokesperson for the City of Salt Lake City told Telemundo Utah that the city does not currently have information from the DHS regarding whether the warehouse will be sold.
County Support and Agency Focus
While the city remains in the dark, officials in Salt Lake County expressed a preference for the divestment. The Salt Lake County Office stated to Telemundo Utah that they have not received confirmation from the DHS regarding the release of these facilities, but noted they would support the sale if the reports prove true.
In response to the reported plans, spokespeople for both DHS and ICE emphasized that their current priority is the removal of "the worst criminals." The agencies stated they are focused on utilizing existing detention spaces through coordination with both state and county governments.
Demands for Investigation
Utah State Senator Nate Blouin has called for a thorough investigation into the original acquisition of the Salt Lake City property. Blouin demanded an inquiry into how federal officials spent $145 million on the site, specifically questioning why the purchase price was $50 million above the appraised value.
Blouin characterized the potential sale as a victory for community members who organized and protested against the establishment of an ICE detention center in Utah. The senator also raised concerns regarding transparency, stating that such facilities are often the result of decisions made behind closed doors.
Call for Accountability
Blouin further alleged that the purchase process may have harmed taxpayers and called for hearings to determine if any corruption occurred during the acquisition. He argued that the public deserves to know who drove the project and who benefited from the high-cost purchase.
In a statement, Blouin emphasized his opposition to detention centers in the community, noting that such facilities separate families and cause lasting harm to immigrant populations.
