The construction of a major immigration detention facility in Surprise, Arizona, has been put on hold following a legal agreement that requires federal authorities to complete a comprehensive environmental review before proceeding with the project.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has agreed to postpone converting a 418,000-square-foot warehouse into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center capable of housing up to 1,500 individuals. The pause comes after Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit in April challenging the project on environmental and procedural grounds.
According to the joint stipulation reached between the parties, the department must complete either an environmental assessment or a final environmental impact statement before beginning any construction, demolition, or retrofitting work on the facility. The agreement stipulates a 21-day waiting period following the issuance of these environmental documents before construction can commence.
The proposed detention center has drawn significant concerns due to its location directly across from a hazardous chemical plant and within two miles of two public schools. State officials have raised alarms about the potential for mass casualty events in case of chemical fires or spills at the nearby industrial facility.
The federal government purchased the warehouse for $70 million in January and announced plans for the detention center without prior notification to state or local authorities. This lack of consultation prompted Attorney General Mayes to send a formal letter to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in February, seeking clarification about the project. No response was received before the lawsuit was filed.
Under the terms of the agreement, while major construction activities are prohibited during the environmental review period, the department retains the ability to conduct certain preparatory activities. These include planning, testing, utility coordination, and obtaining necessary permits. Physical improvements such as installing security fencing, cameras, and lighting systems are also permitted, along with routine maintenance and repairs.
The environmental review process will determine whether the project poses significant impacts to human health or the environment. If the initial assessment identifies substantial concerns, the department will be required to produce a more detailed final environmental impact statement. The state attorney general maintains the right to challenge the adequacy of these environmental findings at any point in the process.
The department has committed to providing status updates every 60 days until the environmental review reaches completion. Meanwhile, the underlying litigation remains stayed pending the outcome of the environmental assessment.
The detention facility controversy occurs against a backdrop of ongoing concerns about conditions at immigration detention centers nationwide. Recent incidents at Arizona facilities have included deaths in custody and allegations of inadequate medical care. In March, a Haitian asylum-seeker died from a severe tooth infection at the Florence detention center after reportedly seeking medical attention for weeks. Another case involved Arbella Rodriguez Marquez, a green card holder with cancer who allegedly received insufficient medical treatment at a facility in Eloy during 2025.
Federal lawmakers have also expressed concerns about detention conditions in the state. In April, Representatives Adelita Grijalva, Greg Stanton, and Yassamin Ansari visited a Mesa detention center and reported observing concerning conditions, including detainees being required to march in extreme heat until some collapsed.
This legal action represents the 41st lawsuit that Attorney General Mayes has filed or joined against the current federal administration during its second term, reflecting ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement policies and procedures.
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