Arizona has sued the federal government to block conversion of a Surprise, Arizona, warehouse into an ICE detention facility, arguing the agency failed to complete required environmental reviews and that the site sits near large chemical storage. The federal government purchased the property for $70 million and has awarded more than $300 million in retrofit contracts; the facility could hold several hundred to 1,500 people. The lawsuit joins other state and local challenges to new large detention sites, and a Maryland judge already issued a preliminary injunction at one similar location.
Arizona Sues To Block ICE Detention Facility Near Chemical Storage In Surprise, Citing Missing Environmental Reviews
Arizona sues to block proposed ICE detention facility near site with chemicals
Arizona has filed a lawsuit against the federal government to block plans for a large U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Surprise, Arizona, arguing required environmental reviews were not completed and that the proposed site sits dangerously close to large chemical storage.
What The Lawsuit Says
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed the complaint Friday, alleging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE failed to conduct or publish legally required environmental assessments before purchasing and repurposing a warehouse in Surprise. The suit also contends the planned facility — described in court papers as capable of holding several hundred to as many as 1,500 people — does not meet the Immigration and Nationality Act's requirement that the government provide "appropriate" places for immigration detention.
"The Trump administration has run roughshod over federal law in its rush to expand detention capacity across the country," Mayes said in a statement.
Site Details And Government Spending
Court documents say the federal government purchased the Surprise warehouse for $70 million on Jan. 23 and has issued contracts exceeding $300 million to retrofit the building. The filing notes the warehouse was originally built as an industrial distribution center for up to four commercial tenants, not as living quarters for hundreds of people.
The complaint further alleges the property sits directly across the street from a chemical storage facility containing thousands of gallons of hazardous materials, and that the warehouse itself contains more than 100,000 square feet of containerized storage for chemicals used in semiconductor production.
Federal Response
An ICE spokesperson told CBS News the agency evaluated existing facilities prior to purchase to minimize environmental impacts, including potential effects on protected species, sensitive natural resources and cultural resources. The spokesperson also characterized the lawsuit as politically motivated and "about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe." CBS News requested a specific response from DHS about the chemical storage claims but had not received one by publication.
Broader Context
The lawsuit cites a July 2025 congressional appropriation that made $45 billion available to ICE for adult and family detention capacity through September 2029. Similar disputes have arisen in other states: local officials in Georgia raised concerns about a potential 10,000-person site in Social Circle, and DHS paused plans there while reviewing processes. In Maryland, Attorney General Anthony Brown sued after a federal purchase near Williamsport; a judge granted a preliminary injunction on April 15 blocking construction while litigation proceeds.
What Happens Next
The Arizona case seeks to halt work on the Surprise site while the court evaluates whether DHS and ICE complied with environmental and statutory obligations. If the court grants injunctive relief, retrofit work could be paused as in Maryland; otherwise, the government may proceed while litigation continues.
Key parties: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (plaintiff), DHS/ICE (defendants), CBS News (reporting). The lawsuit centers on environmental review requirements, public safety concerns related to nearby hazardous materials, statutory detention standards and recent federal spending on detention capacity.
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