ICE to Convert San Antonio Warehouse into Detention Center

Federal immigration officials are moving forward with plans to convert an East Side warehouse in San Antonio into a detention center capable of holding up to 1,500 people daily. ICE awarded GardaWorld Federal Services a $17.3 million contract to renovate the property and provide services for the operation. The center is expected to open this winter, later than the original September 30 target. Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert has urged opponents to join an October 3 march and questioned whether the environmental review process was adequate.

The project involves the conversion of a nearly 640,000-square-foot building into a major operational asset for ICE. The facility is located in Bexar County, which hosts the project. The development raises questions regarding whether local officials adequately considered the impacts on traffic, utilities, and public safety.