Surprise, AZ Officials Demand Answers from DHS on ICE Facility Plans, Send Letter to Secretary Noem

The Mayor and City Council of Surprise, Arizona, have formally requested clarity from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding a recently acquired property believed to be slated for use as a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility.

In a Feb. 11 letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor requested detailed information about the federal government’s plans for a 418,000-square-foot warehouse near Sweetwater Road and Dysart Road, a facility purchased by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in late January for approximately $70 million, with no prior notice to local officials.

Following a vote this afternoon by City Council, City of Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor will send a formal letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting information and clarification regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s acquisition of a property located…

— City of Surprise (@AZSurprise) February 11, 2026

While acknowledging DHS’s authority over immigration and detention operations, the city stressed that local planning, infrastructure, and public safety impacts must be understood before any action is taken, noting that “major federal actions…directly and substantially impact local communities.” 

The letter requests written responses on:

• the facility’s intended purpose and operational use,
• planned renovations or structural changes,
• zoning and land-use compliance,
• projected impacts on traffic, utilities, and emergency services,
• any National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses,
• and the expected timeline for construction and operation. 
• expected coordination or support from local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services.
• and ICE plans for ongoing, formal communication with the City Manager and Elected Officials.

City officials also asked for an in-person meeting with Noem or senior DHS staff while they are scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., in mid-March. 

Federal Silence, Rising Local Frustration

The letter comes amid growing concern and confusion over the federal facility purchase. Surprise’s request reflects frustration shared by residents and elected officials alike, who say they were left in the dark about the deal. 

“The City is aware we cannot interfere with federal operations, however, the City must be able to plan responsibly, protect public safety, and provide accurate information to residents. Proceeding without meaningful coordination places undue strain on local resources and undermines public trust. Early, direct, and sustained engagement between DHS and the City is therefore necessary and expected. ,” the city’s letter states. 

The proposed facility has drawn attention not only locally but across Arizona’s political spectrum. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has also demanded answers from DHS, according to AZ Family, emphasizing that the department must clarify the extent of the facility’s use and its impacts on schools, traffic, emergency services, and local resources before any construction begins. 

Meanwhile, Arizona’s U.S. Senators, Democrats Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, have joined the call for transparency, saying in their own letter to Noem that the acquisition reflects a broader expansion of detention capacity without adequate local consultation, and urging DHS to provide detailed responses by mid-February. 

Local Voices and Community Concerns

Tensions have run high in Surprise. Hundreds of residents filled City Council chambers at a February meeting to express unease about the facility’s proximity to neighborhoods and schools. Republican Rep. Paul Gosar has also called for transparency from DHS, citing legitimate community concerns about infrastructure, traffic, and public safety, separate from broader immigration policy debates. 

DHS has not publicly confirmed detailed operational plans for the Surprise site or responded to the city’s request for clarification.