{"id":156912,"date":"2026-02-09T13:51:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T13:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/156912\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:51:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T13:51:13","slug":"update-socorro-mayor-rudy-cruz-talks-about-new-ice-facility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/156912\/","title":{"rendered":"Update: Socorro Mayor Rudy Cruz Talks About New ICE Facility"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A <\/p>\n

SOCORRO, Tx., February 9, 2026: Last week we reported<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

On Thursday KFOX confirmed<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Soon after the story broke that the new facility would be in Socorro, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar posted on social media that the \u201cTrump administration just paid $122 million to ANOTHER corporation while shamelessly telling the American people there\u2019s not enough money for health insurance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last Tuesday, the El Paso City Council voted unanimously<\/a> 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<\/a> ICE facilities in the region.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> last Monday that \u201cat 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.\u201d Cruz added that rumors of an ICE facility in Socorro were \u201cuntrue, and we are not aware of any plans involving buildings or properties in Socorro.\u201d After news broke that the planned ICE detention facility would be in Socorro, Cruz followed up his original statement to us.<\/p>\n

Rudy Cruz Jr. Responds To Socorro ICE Facility<\/p>\n

Late on Friday, we received a written statement from Cruz about the planned ICE detention facility in Socorro.<\/p>\n

According to Cruz\u2019s written statement, Socorro officials were not aware of the pending sale and that the \u201cCity of Socorro was not a party\u201d to the transaction, nor did the city \u201capprove the transaction.\u201d Cruz\u2019s statement added that Socorro \u201cdoes not have the authority to prevent the federal government from purchasing private property\u201d in the city.<\/p>\n

Cruz added in his statement that the \u201cCity of Socorro retains the authority to protect public health, safety, and welfare,\u201d adding that it can \u201crequire compliance with applicable fire, lifesaving, and emergency response standards.\u201d The statement added that the city will \u201ccoordinate with El Paso County Emergency Services District No. 2 regarding fire protection,\u201d and that the city will \u201cadvocate for adequate\u2026water capacity, access, and emergency response planning. He added that Socorro will \u201cimpose cost-recovery fees on private entities,\u201d suggesting that city officials will seek to apply fees to any private contractor working at the facility.<\/p>\n

The City of Socorro has scheduled a Special City Council Meeting on Wednesday to consider \u201cestablishing fees applicable to private contractors that operate detention facilities in Socorro.\u201d The fees are intended to \u201caddress the costs associated with police, fire, emergency medical, inspection, and administrative services when facilities are privately operated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of this action [fees] is to ensure that the financial burden of providing essential municipal services is not shifted onto Socorro residents,\u201d according to written statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe City of Socorro remains committed to opposing any development that places residents or detained individuals at risk,\u201d reads the statement. It adds that the city plans on \u201cusing every lawful tool available to protect public safety, working with local, state, and federal partners while firmly advocating for our community,\u201d and \u201ckeeping residents informed and engaged throughout this process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Plan To Attend Special Meeting
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
6:00pm
Socorro City Hall<\/p>\n

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