ICE’s Plan for Salt Lake City Detention Center Draws Suit (1)

Plans for a Salt Lake City immigrant detention facility didn’t undergo the required environmental studies before construction, a new federal lawsuit says.

The Department of Homeland Security bought an 833,000-square-foot warehouse in Salt Lake City to potentially house 7,500 to 10,000 immigration detainees, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement expands detention capacity across the country, according to a complaint Salt Lake City filed Monday in the US District Court for the District of Utah.

Salt Lake City’s municipal corporation and the county alleged the agencies and their leaders didn’t conduct the necessary environmental studies required under the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

ICE didn’t consult the city for planning the detention center, and the center will cause “substantial harm” to the surrounding area through environmental, public health, and safety effects, the complaint said.

According to the lawsuit, the planned Salt Lake Mega Center will average 2 million gallons of water daily when previous ownership of the warehouse averaged 5,600 gallons per day. The complaint noted that the city is currently experiencing a drought. The city also alleged that the center will strain sewage resources, challenge air quality and damage local roads.

The city further argued the center represents a public safety concern as it is “highly controversial” and local law enforcement must respond to protests.

A DHS spokesperson said the department is “reviewing agency policies and proposals” during Mullin’s transition as homeland security secretary. The spokesperson also referenced Mullin’s confirmation hearing, during which the secretary said he wants “to work with community leaders” and “be good partners.”

The city and county are requesting that the District Court of Utah void the Salt Lake City Mega Center’s purchase and block plans to turn it into a detention center.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP represents Salt Lake City Corp.

The case is Salt Lake City Corp. v. Mullin, D. Utah, No. 2:26-cv-00528, complaint filed 6/8/26.