“We’re working every legal aspect we can to stop it, and we will make sure that this is not going to happen in our name,” said Commissioner Tommy Calvert.
SAN ANTONIO — Community members, local leaders and advocacy groups gathered Saturday morning to protest a planned federal immigration detention warehouse in east San Antonio—arguing the project would harm neighborhoods and divide the community.
The demonstration, held near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Loop 410, was part of a nationwide day of action opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities and their expansion.
“This is something our community never wanted,” said Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert, who joined protesters at the site. “This is a complete waste of taxpayer dollars.”
The facility, located within Calvert’s precinct, was purchased by the federal government earlier this year for $66.1 million and is expected to open by the end of September. ICE officials told leaders they expect it will “house an average daily population of 500 to 1,500” individuals that authorities believe are in the country illegally.
Calvert raised concerns about the potential economic impact on nearby neighborhoods, citing studies that suggest property values can decline near correctional facilities.
“Federal studies say property values go down when you build a federal prison,” he said. “This is going to create tremendous division.”
The protest came after the San Antonio City Council earlier this month approved a measure requiring special-use authorization for future privately owned detention facilities. However, the rule does not apply to facilities operated by the federal government.
Advocates said they hope local opposition can still influence the project’s future.
“We know there have been 23 detention center purchases made this year, and about half of them have not gone through,” said Corrie Rosen, an organizer with The Party for Socialism and Liberation “We want to be the next city to make sure that this deal doesn’t go through.”
Father Jimmy Drennan, pastor at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, said his participation was also guided by a broader call from church leadership to emphasize human dignity.
“Migrants are a huge part of our community, They have been, they are now and they always will be” he said. “We want to focus not on incarcerating immigrants, but on helping them become part of our community in a way that helps build the fabric of San Antonio.”
Others at the rally, including Veronica Williams, an Independent candidate for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, said immigration enforcement can be handled more humanely.
“We can protect our borders and secure American citizens in a humane way,” Williams said.
Calvert said county officials are exploring possible legal action in response to the project.
“We’re working up some things here, so stay tuned,” he said.
Corrie Rosen says several organizations are calling for a general strike on May 1, which is International Workers’ Day.
“We have to hit them where it hurts the most, which is their pockets,” she said. “So we’re calling for no shopping, no school and no work on May 1 to really unite and get behind this movement to shut down the ICE detention center,.”