EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accusing the agency of failing to turn over records related to a proposed immigrant detention facility in East El Paso County.
The lawsuit, filed Monday by County Attorney Christina Sanchez, seeks to compel ICE to release documents tied to detention plans in the area, including a proposed facility in Socorro that has drawn growing public attention.
According to a county press release, the legal action is aimed at “force[ing] the disclosure of records” related to the project, which local leaders say has moved forward with limited public information.
Jordan Salas reports on El Paso County sues ICE, seeks records on proposed Socorro detention center (Credit: KFOX14)
Background on proposed facility
KFOX14/CBS4 previously reported that federal officials were exploring plans to expand detention capacity in East El Paso County, including the potential use of existing warehouse sites in the Socorro area.
In the lawsuit, the county cites reports that it could hold between 5,000 and 8,500 people.
The filing also states that property records show the federal government purchased land in Socorro for more than $122 million. It further references reports of a $30 million contract awarded to help design the facility.
View the lawsuit below:
Records request and lawsuit claims
The county’s lawsuit is based on the Freedom of Information Act, a federal law that allows the public to request government records.
According to the complaint, the county submitted a FOIA request on Feb. 17 seeking documents related to detention facility planning, contracts with private companies, and environmental and community impacts.
The lawsuit alleges ICE failed to respond within the law’s required timeframe.
As a result, the county is asking a federal judge to declare ICE’s lack of response unlawful and to order the agency to release the requested records.
In the press release, Sanchez said transparency is critical given the scale of the proposed project, which she said could place “enormous demands on natural resources, emergency services, public health systems, and local infrastructure.”
Community concerns
The lawsuit also points to growing public concern over the project.
According to the County, more than 200 residents spoke out at El Paso County Commissioners Court earlier this year, raising questions about the size of the facility and its potential impact on local resources.
The complaint also references concerns about conditions at existing immigration detention facilities, including Camp East Montana on Fort Bliss.
Federal review of detention expansion
The lawsuit comes as the Department of Homeland Security is reevaluating its broader detention expansion plans.
According to the Associated Press, DHS has paused some new warehouse purchases intended to house immigrants. It is unclear whether that pause applies to the warehouse sites in Socorro.
The review follows a leadership transition at DHS, with Secretary Markwayne Mullin sworn in last month, replacing former Secretary Kristi Noem. A DHS spokesperson told KFOX14/CBS4 the agency is reviewing policies and proposals during the transition.
What happens next
The case is now in federal court.
KFOX14/CBS4 will continue to follow this story and provide updates.
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