SOCORRO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reevaluating its plans to expand detention facilities across the country, a shift that could affect three massive warehouses already purchased in Socorro to expand detention space.
According to the Associated Press, DHS is pausing the purchase of new warehouses meant to house immigrants.
It was unclear whether the pause includes the three warehouses in Socorro, which have drawn strong backlash from U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso.
“Warehouses should not be places where we house human beings. They were not built for that. They were built for inanimate objects. They were built for products, not to hold human beings,” Escobar said.
Escobar called the federal move a step in the right direction and said she hopes the new DHS leadership reverses prior decisions.
“There’s no need to create these tent cities or to use these warehouses. I really do hope the new secretary completely reverses the decision of the prior secretary,” Escobar said.
The pause comes as new leadership takes over DHS. Secretary Markwayne Mullin was sworn in last week, replacing former Secretary Kristi Noem.
In a statement to KFOX14/CBS4, a DHS spokesperson said the agency is reviewing policies and proposals during the transition.
Mullin has also pledged to work more closely with community leaders.
In Socorro, concerns have extended beyond federal policy to basic resources, including water infrastructure.
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State Rep. Vince Perez, D-El Paso, previously warned the area is already struggling with water issues.
“These are water issues that exist throughout their service area and the emergency services district. And that’s the whole purpose of zoning is that you don’t want, you know, facility come in that is completely in unfeasible or incompatible with things like water shortages in the area,” Perez said Feb. 6.
Some residents said they are already feeling the strain.
Fernando Rodriguez, a Socorro resident, described water pressure problems at home.
“I got two bathrooms, two showers. We can’t be showering at the same time in the both of them because in one side is gonna be very low. Okay, if my wife is washing dishes The water gets low in that shower,” Rodriguez said.
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The debate also includes detention capacity in the El Paso area.
Fort Bliss’ Camp East Montana, described as one of the largest migrant detention sites in the country, can hold up to 8,500 people.
Escobar said the region already has extensive detention space.
“So we already have the most beds in all of the world for immigration detention. There’s no need to create these tent cities or to use these warehouses,” she said.
Escobar said she and others are still seeking answers from federal officials about what comes next.
“We will continue to try to get information from ICE. What are they going to continue to move forward? We hope they do not,” she said.
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