In a letter to Texas’ congressional delegation, the mayor cited potential harm to the economically struggling east-side community.
SAN ANTONIO — Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is calling on the Texas delegation representing the state in our nation’s capitol to not fund the planned ICE facility expected to be established in east San Antonio.
The federal government last week purchased a 640,000-square-foot facility at 542 SE Loop 410, a “mega warehouse” previously owned by Atlanta-based Oakmont Industrial Group, for $66.1 million, according to county records. An ICE spokesperson confirmed a land and building purchase in the Alamo City, saying they intended to establish a “very well-structured” detention facility there.
On Wednesday, Mayor Jones sent a letter to U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz as well as congressional leaders with districts in the San Antonio area, including Reps. Joaquin Castro, Henry Cuellar, Greg Casar, Tony Gonzales and Chip Roy.
The letter requests they vote against any funding bill that would allocate resources for the facility amid the ongoing federal immigration enforcement crackdown. She particularly focused on the effect it would have on the east side of San Antonio.
“Placing an ICE facility on our east side, an already economically depressed part of our community, would further negatively affect the local economy and hamper its ability to attract the type of good-paying jobs our constituents need and deserve,” wrote Mayor Jones. “I welcome a conversation to discuss more strategic ways to enhance the economic development of our city.”
Short-term funding for ICE set to expire in four days is currently being discussed among congressional leaders, with Democrats feeling like they are in a good negotiating position after backlash to Trump’s immigration crackdown. However, ICE was given $75 billion in funding in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that it can continue to access in a shutdown, meaning many immigration functions would continue even if money lapses.
Still, Mayor Jones also said it would not be an effective job creator, a common talking point among supporters of the ICE facility.
“Some have suggested this proposed ICE facility is a jobs opportunity, and I think that is insulting and inaccurate. I would offer a better way to increase jobs: eliminate the tariffs that have driven up costs in our community, and reverse the proposed cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Meanwhile, City Council on Thursday is expected to vote on a resolution that, if approved, would direct city staff to evaluate local leaders’ options in regards to the ICE facility—including the possibility of establishing a moratorium on non-city-operated detention facilities and training city staff on their rights when it comes to preventing harm by ICE personnel.
Read the full letter below: