EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County commissioners unanimously approved a series of actions Monday in response to proposed immigration detention facilities in the county, according to a news release from El Paso County.
The approved measures include plans for a public presentation within 30 days, formal letters to federal and state lawmakers opposing the facilities, efforts to gather more information about proposed sites, and the creation of a task force with local stakeholders, the release states.
El Paso County news release 02/02/26. (Credit: El Paso County)
The Department of Homeland Security, via an ICE spokesperson, confirmed earlier this month that new detention centers will open in El Paso County, near Clint, but they’re not ready to announce them.
“These will not be warehouses — they will be very well-structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards. Every day, DHS is conducting law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe. It should not come as news that ICE will be making arrests in states across the U.S. and is actively working to expand detention space,” an ICE spokesperson said in a previous statement to KFOX14/CBS4.
County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said the court’s options are limited when it comes to federal projects.
“There’s very few things that we can legally do,” Samaniego said.
RECOMMENDED: Sources: ICE plans new EP County detention centers; no official announcement
Commissioner Iliana Holguín also pointed to limits on local authority, saying the county does not have “any inherent authority to stop the federal government from building this type of facility.”
According to the office of U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, the proposed facilities would be located in three buildings along Eastwind Avenue in Socorro.
New ICE centers set to open in El Paso County near Clint (credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
Despite the county’s actions, federal authorities retain control over the construction and location of detention facilities, according to county and federal officials.
Samaniego said county leaders are still exploring possible legal and regulatory options, including reviewing permits and potential legal challenges.
RECOMMENDED: El Paso County Judge voices concerns over new ICE detention center
Holguín raised concerns about the conditions of the proposed facilities, noting that the buildings were designed as warehouses.
“These buildings are warehouses. They’re not meant to house people,” Holguín said.
She also said the county is working with other local governments, including the City of El Paso, the City of Socorro, and the Town of Clint, to address potential impacts.
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.