The Department of Homeland Security’s agenda for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities continues to face pushback nationwide — including in the red and purple states in the West.
Three Democratic House representatives from Arizona said they witnessed “shameful” and “unacceptable” conditions at the Mesa Immigration and Customs Enforcement during their surprise visit on April 9.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this in my entire life,” said Rep. Adelita Grijalva. The Tucson Democrat said people were lying down inside as “like sardines.”
“It is frightening in there,” Grijalva said. “It is disgusting.”
DHS and Arizona GOP lawmaker react
The DHS dismissed the claims of neglect and overcrowding following the lawmakers’ unannounced visit to the ICE facility.
“Their claims this facility is overcrowded and horrific are FALSE,” the DHS said. “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates under federal standards, oversight, and accountability, and claims of chaotic or inhumane conditions are misinformation, not a reflection of actual practice.”
In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, Reps. Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari, and Adelita Grijalva demanded answers about the conditions in the facility.
Republican Rep. Andy Biggs, who is running for Arizona governor, in a statement to 12 News said, “Democrats would rather shut the government down than properly fund DHS so our law enforcement agents can effectively and responsibly do their job.”
“Instead of working toward a solution, they’d prefer to launch politically motivated stunts to attack the officers doing their best to keep our communities safe,” he said.
Nationwide uncertainty over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities
Even though the Democratic Arizona lawmakers complained about overcrowding, they are also opposed to the Trump administration opening more processing facilities.
ICE is in the process of trying to set up six to eight “mega-facilities” serving as “regional centers” for processing deportations. One of them is in the works south of the Salt Lake City International Airport.
But uncertainty swirls around this $145.44 million project.
As KSL reported, Salt Lake County records reveal DHS may only own half the land under the facility, which spans two parcels. DHS purchased a 24.93-acre parcel that includes the warehouse, but not the adjacent 21.85-acre plot, associated with Deutsche Bank.
This split creates tax complications, especially since federally owned land is exempt from taxes.
In 2025, the combined tax for both parcels was over $1 million.
The Salt Lake County Assessor’s Office is investigating the discrepancy with the title company and stakeholders.
This facility has the support of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox but he asked for more transparency from the federal government since local and state lawmakers weren’t informed of the purchase.
The DHS, in a statement to the Deseret News, said, “As with any transition, we are reviewing agency policies and proposals.”
The statement also quoted freshly-sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who promised to “work with the community leaders and make sure that we are delivering for the American people what the President set out… We want to work with community leaders. We want to be good partners" in his confirmation hearing.
Local officials like Mayor Erin Mendenhall oppose the facility, arguing it could negatively impact the community and strain local resources, as the Deseret News reported. Despite the promise of jobs and economic benefits, local protests reflect concerns about increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence and the scale of the project.
A February Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll found that 51% of Utahns oppose a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in the state.
The DHS has also purchased warehouses in Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas. Many of these projects are also facing local pushback, with local officials citing similar criticism related to a lack of communication and transparency from the federal government and a strain on local resources.
“We’re against it,” Eric Taylor, the manager of Social Circle city, Georgia, told The Hill. “Having something come in like this is just really a different dynamic than what this particular community is about.”
He said, “Usually it takes time for communities to adapt to rapid growth and it doesn’t seem like we’re going to have that opportunity.”