SOCORRO, Tx., February 9, 2026: Last week we reported about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility that is to open in Socorro. At the time, the facility had not been confirmed although it was rumored to be in Socorro.
On Thursday KFOX confirmed that public records showed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had purchased a warehouse in Socorro. Other local news media followed with the same information that KFOX had uncovered on Friday.
According to the public records, a Delaware-registered company, El Paso Logistics II LLC, sold the building to DHS for $122 million. The sale was completed on February 2. Because the company is registered in Delaware, which limits access to company ownership records, it is not known who owned the warehouse before it was sold to DHS.
Soon after the story broke that the new facility would be in Socorro, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar posted on social media that the “Trump administration just paid $122 million to ANOTHER corporation while shamelessly telling the American people there’s not enough money for health insurance.”
Last Tuesday, the El Paso City Council voted unanimously to have city staff report back within 60 days with information about ways that the city can oppose an ICE detention facility in the city. City staff are also to report to city council how many points of engagement exist between city departments and ICE officials as well as restricting ICE from city buildings without a judicial warrant. A judicial warrant is a warrant signed by a judge instead of a government official. The County has also taken steps to engage with local governments and other officials to oppose ICE facilities in the region.
After the El Paso city vote and with persistent rumors that the ICE facility would be in Socorro, we reached out to Socorro mayor, Rudy Cruz, Jr. for comment. Cruz told us last Monday that “at this time, it is important to be clear and factual: the City of Socorro has not been approached by the federal government, ICE, or any immigration agency, and has received no notice or communication indicating that such a facility is planned or being considered within our city.” Cruz added that rumors of an ICE facility in Socorro were “untrue, and we are not aware of any plans involving buildings or properties in Socorro.” After news broke that the planned ICE detention facility would be in Socorro, Cruz followed up his original statement to us.
Rudy Cruz Jr. Responds To Socorro ICE Facility
Late on Friday, we received a written statement from Cruz about the planned ICE detention facility in Socorro.
According to Cruz’s written statement, Socorro officials were not aware of the pending sale and that the “City of Socorro was not a party” to the transaction, nor did the city “approve the transaction.” Cruz’s statement added that Socorro “does not have the authority to prevent the federal government from purchasing private property” in the city.
Cruz added in his statement that the “City of Socorro retains the authority to protect public health, safety, and welfare,” adding that it can “require compliance with applicable fire, lifesaving, and emergency response standards.” The statement added that the city will “coordinate with El Paso County Emergency Services District No. 2 regarding fire protection,” and that the city will “advocate for adequate…water capacity, access, and emergency response planning. He added that Socorro will “impose cost-recovery fees on private entities,” suggesting that city officials will seek to apply fees to any private contractor working at the facility.
The City of Socorro has scheduled a Special City Council Meeting on Wednesday to consider “establishing fees applicable to private contractors that operate detention facilities in Socorro.” The fees are intended to “address the costs associated with police, fire, emergency medical, inspection, and administrative services when facilities are privately operated.”
“The purpose of this action [fees] is to ensure that the financial burden of providing essential municipal services is not shifted onto Socorro residents,” according to written statement.
“The City of Socorro remains committed to opposing any development that places residents or detained individuals at risk,” reads the statement. It adds that the city plans on “using every lawful tool available to protect public safety, working with local, state, and federal partners while firmly advocating for our community,” and “keeping residents informed and engaged throughout this process.”
Plan To Attend Special Meeting
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
6:00pm
Socorro City Hall
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