ICE plans for mega-detention facility in red state dealt a massive blow

President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement suffered a blow on Monday, as a Texas property group clarified they won't sell them a Dallas-area mega-warehouse they had their eye on to create a massive detention facility.

In a statement obtained by Aarón Torres of The Dallas Morning News, Majestic Realty said, "While we were contacted about the potential sale of our building in Hutchins, Texas, Majestic Realty Co. has not and will not enter into any agreement for the purchase or lease of any building to the Department of Homeland Security for use as a detention facility."

"We're grateful for the long-term relationship we have with Mayor Mario Vasquez and the City of Hutchins and look forward to continuing our work to find a buyer or lease tenant that will help drive economic growth," the statement concluded.

The plan to purchase this warehouse and convert it into a 9,500-bed jail for suspects targeted for deportation was first revealed in a Morning News report at the end of last month. They had planned "to modify the structures to include intake areas, housing units with showers and restrooms, a kitchen, dining areas, a medical unit, indoor and outdoor recreation areas, a law library and administrative offices."

They had also planned to create facilities designed for entire families arrested together, which contradicted the Trump administration's repeated claims that they are focusing on the "worst of the worst" criminal immigrants who threaten public safety.

Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" of tax cuts passed last year also included $75 billion for a buildout of immigration enforcement processing, including detention facilities. However, in recent months, their plans for new holding centers have run into fierce resistance from local citizens and individuals, even in areas that voted for Trump.