Mayor Jones urges Texas lawmakers to oppose funding for an ICE facility in San Antonio, citing its 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 here in San Antonio.
Sources last week told KENS 5 it appears a 640,000-square-foot facility on the east side had been bought by ICE. ICE confirmed it had purchased land in San Antonio, but did not give a location. However, a source had previously said the agency’s eye was on a massive warehouse at 418 SE Loop 410, formerly owned by Oakmont Industrial Group.
Wednesday, Mayor Jones sent a letter to U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, as well as congressional leaders with districts in the San Antonio area, including Representatives Joaquin Castro, Henry Cuellar, Greg Casar, Tony Gonzales and Chip Roy.
The letter requests they vote against any funding bill that would that would allocate resources for the facility. She particularly focused on the effect it would have on the east side of San Antonio.
“Placing an ICE facility on our Eastside, 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 facilty is a jobs opportunity, and I think that is insulting and inaccurate. I would offer a better way to increase jobsl 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.”
Read the full letter below: