San Antonio sues DHS and ICE over a planned East Side detention facility, saying the agencies skipped environmental review
San Antonio says DHS and ICE skipped a required environmental review before converting an East Side warehouse into a detention facility for up to 1,500 people. DHS says the lawsuit is about stopping immigration enforcement, not the environment.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The City of San Antonio sued the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on October 13, 2026, to halt the conversion of a 640,000-square-foot East Side warehouse into an immigration detention and processing facility for up to 1,500 people. The city says the agencies bought the property and contracted for its renovation without the environmental review the National Environmental Policy Act requires. DHS said the suit is not about the environment but an effort to stop President Trump's immigration enforcement. Two council members called the lawsuit political theater.
Read the full background
According to the complaint, DHS and ICE confirmed around February 5, 2026, that they had bought the warehouse at 542 SE Loop 410, and the city alleges ICE paid $66.1 million for a property assessed at $37 million. On August 28 the city learned that ICE had awarded GardaWorld Federal Services a $17 million contract to begin outfitting it; KSAT reported that federal records show the contract has since grown to $61.8 million. ICE has said the facility could open early next year.
City officials say they wrote to the agencies five times in 2026, most recently on September 9. The agencies answered once, in June, promising to coordinate with the city, take community input and share design and engineering reports before work began. The city says it has heard nothing since.
The complaint raises the facility's sewer capacity, its location next to a 100-year floodplain, traffic and disease outbreaks at other ICE facilities. It asks the court to set aside the purchase and the renovation contract and to bar further work until the agencies comply with the law. City Attorney Andy Segovia said the suit is meant to delay the project and that the city hopes a review leads the department to decide differently. Council members Marc Whyte and Misty Spears opposed the suit, and Whyte estimated it could cost the city $500,000 or more. On October 16 the court ordered the city to file any request for emergency relief separately by October 26.
People in this case
Gina Ortiz JonesDirectly involved
Markwayne MullinDirectly involved
Timeline
7 timeline entries on this page. Dates: February 5, 2026 to October 16, 2026
February 2026
DHS and ICE confirm they bought the Loop 410 warehouse
Incident
DHS and ICE confirm that they bought a 640,000-square-foot commercial warehouse at 542 SE Loop 410 to convert into a detention facility with as many as 1,500 beds, according to the city's complaint. The city alleges ICE paid $66.1 million for a property assessed at $37 million.
[01]City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)
The city's 25-page complaint against Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS, ICE and acting ICE Director David Venturella under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-8 and 46-52
August 2026
City learns ICE awarded GardaWorld a contract to outfit the warehouse
Incident
According to the complaint, the city learns that ICE has awarded GardaWorld Federal Services a $17 million contract to begin outfitting the warehouse. KSAT reported that federal records show the contract has since grown to $61.8 million.
[01]City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)
The city's 25-page complaint against Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS, ICE and acting ICE Director David Venturella under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-8 and 46-52[02]City of San Antonio files lawsuit over ICE detention facility on East Side
KSAT report on the lawsuit and news conference. It quotes the complaint, council members on both sides and the full statement DHS sent to the station.
September 2026
City sends the last of five letters to DHS and ICE
City officials write to the agencies for the fifth time in 2026 seeking information about the project. The agencies had answered once, in June, promising to coordinate with the city and share design and engineering reports before work began.
[02]City of San Antonio files lawsuit over ICE detention facility on East Side
KSAT report on the lawsuit and news conference. It quotes the complaint, council members on both sides and the full statement DHS sent to the station.
[01]City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)
The city's 25-page complaint against Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS, ICE and acting ICE Director David Venturella under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-8 and 46-52
October 2026
San Antonio sues DHS and ICE in federal court
The city files suit in federal court in San Antonio under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, asking the court to set aside the warehouse purchase and the renovation contract and to bar further work on the project.
[01]City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)
The city's 25-page complaint against Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS, ICE and acting ICE Director David Venturella under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-8 and 46-52[03]City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), docket
Court docket for the case, filed October 13, 2026, under the Administrative Procedure Act, with the nature of suit listed as environmental matters.
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), docketDocket entries 1 to 12[04]San Antonio takes DHS, ICE to court over planned Eastside detention facility
San Antonio Report coverage of the news conference announcing the lawsuit, with remarks from City Attorney Andy Segovia, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and council members, and a DHS statement.
[05]City of San Antonio sues Homeland Security to stop ICE 'concentration camp' on East Side
San Antonio Current report on the news conference. It quotes Segovia on the city's plan to seek an emergency hearing if work begins at the site.
DHS says the lawsuit is about stopping immigration enforcement
Reaction
In a statement to news outlets, DHS says the suit is not about the environment but an attempt to stop President Trump's immigration enforcement.
[02]City of San Antonio files lawsuit over ICE detention facility on East Side
KSAT report on the lawsuit and news conference. It quotes the complaint, council members on both sides and the full statement DHS sent to the station.
[04]San Antonio takes DHS, ICE to court over planned Eastside detention facility
San Antonio Report coverage of the news conference announcing the lawsuit, with remarks from City Attorney Andy Segovia, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and council members, and a DHS statement.
Council members Marc Whyte and Misty Spears call the lawsuit political theater
Reaction
The two council members who voted against studying the facility's effects say the suit will at most delay the project. Whyte estimates it could cost the city $500,000 or more.
[04]San Antonio takes DHS, ICE to court over planned Eastside detention facility
San Antonio Report coverage of the news conference announcing the lawsuit, with remarks from City Attorney Andy Segovia, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and council members, and a DHS statement.
[02]City of San Antonio files lawsuit over ICE detention facility on East Side
KSAT report on the lawsuit and news conference. It quotes the complaint, council members on both sides and the full statement DHS sent to the station.
Court tells the city to file any request for emergency relief separately
The court orders the city to file any application for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction in a separate filing by October 26, 2026, as the district's local rules require.
[06]City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), order on the request for injunctive relief (Dkt. 12)
The court notes that the complaint asks it to restrain and stay further work on the project and orders the city to file any request for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction separately by October 26, 2026, as the local rules require.
[03]City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), docket
Court docket for the case, filed October 13, 2026, under the Administrative Procedure Act, with the nature of suit listed as environmental matters.
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), docketDocket entries 1 to 12
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
City of San Antonio
DHS and ICE violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act by buying the Loop 410 warehouse and awarding a contract to convert it into a detention facility without an environmental review.
What is disputed
DHS says the lawsuit is not about the environment. The court docket through October 19 shows no response from the agencies to the complaint.
Sources (2)
- City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-8 and 46-52
Disputed claim
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The city's lawsuit is not about the environment but an attempt to stop President Trump's immigration enforcement.
What is disputed
City officials say they asked the agencies for information about the project in five letters during 2026 and sued after the agencies did not provide it. City Attorney Andy Segovia said the suit aims to delay the project and that the city hopes a review leads the department to decide differently.
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
3 matching responses. Newest first.
City of San AntonioPlaintiff, through a complaint filed by the City Attorney's OfficeDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The complaint says the warehouse was designed for the storage and transloading of commercial goods, not for human residence, and that its purchase is part of a nationwide effort by the agencies to convert warehouses into detention and processing centers.
"In their rush to convert warehouses into Amazon-like store-and-ship facilities for immigrants, Defendants have trampled over federal law designed to protect the City and other stakeholders’ interests."
CondemnedResponding to: DHS and ICE violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act by buying the Loop 410 warehouse and awarding a contract to convert it into a detention facility without an environmental review.
Full statement and sources
The city's complaint says DHS and ICE disregarded federal environmental and administrative law in converting the warehouse, conducted no environmental review before buying it, and asks the court to set aside the purchase and the renovation contract.
After the statement
It says the National Environmental Policy Act requires agencies to look closely at environmental consequences before acting, and that to the city's knowledge the agencies conducted no such review before buying the warehouse.
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-8 and 46-52Why this label?
The reference point is DHS and ICE's plan to convert the warehouse at 542 SE Loop 410 into an immigration detention facility without first completing an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. The complaint says the agencies "have trampled over federal law" and conducted no review before buying the warehouse, so we labeled it Condemned. The closest competing label is Challenged the characterization; it loses because the city attacks the agencies' conduct itself.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Gina Ortiz JonesMayor of San AntonioDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Jones spoke at the news conference where City Attorney Andy Segovia and a majority of the council announced the lawsuit. She said the city had been very patient in communicating with DHS and ICE.
"This lawsuit today is directly related to the federal government, DHS, and ICE in particular, failing to uphold their obligations to the people of San Antonio"
CondemnedResponding to: DHS and ICE violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act by buying the Loop 410 warehouse and awarding a contract to convert it into a detention facility without an environmental review.
Full statement and sources
Jones says the lawsuit is a direct response to the federal government, DHS and especially ICE failing to meet their obligations to the people of San Antonio.
After the statement
Responding to concerns about the cost of the suit, she said the community deserves to understand what is happening at the facility.
Why this label?
The reference point is DHS and ICE's plan to convert the warehouse at 542 SE Loop 410 into an immigration detention facility without first completing an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. Jones says the agencies are "failing to uphold their obligations to the people of San Antonio", so we labeled it Condemned. The closest competing label is Mixed or conditional; it loses because she states no condition or competing view.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityFederal department, through a statement sent to news outletsDirectly involvedBefore this statement
DHS sent the statement on the morning the city announced its lawsuit.
"Let’s be honest about this. This isn’t about the environment. It’s about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe again."
Challenged the characterizationResponding to: The city's lawsuit is not about the environment but an attempt to stop President Trump's immigration enforcement.
Full statement and sources
A DHS statement says the suit is not about the environment but about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe again. It says critics on the left are feigning concern because they want people who entered illegally to stay forever and vote.
After the statement
The statement says DHS is focused on removing criminal immigrants, that they should be removed quickly rather than housed at taxpayer expense, and that the department is moving swiftly to use existing detention space with state and county partners.
Why this label?
The reference point is DHS and ICE's plan to convert the warehouse at 542 SE Loop 410 into an immigration detention facility without first completing an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. DHS disputes the city's account of the lawsuit as an environmental matter and says its purpose is to stop the president's immigration enforcement, so we labeled it Challenged the characterization. The closest competing label is Defended or excused; it loses because the statement does not address whether the agencies needed an environmental review.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(6)
Original text
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief (Dkt. 1)
Relevant passage: Complaint, paragraphs 1-8 and 46-52
About this source
The city's 25-page complaint against Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS, ICE and acting ICE Director David Venturella under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
- Author
- City Attorney's Office, City of San Antonio, with Kaplan Kirsch LLP
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
City of San Antonio sues Homeland Security to stop ICE 'concentration camp' on East Side
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
San Antonio Current report on the news conference. It quotes Segovia on the city's plan to seek an emergency hearing if work begins at the site.
- Author
- Michael Karlis
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
City of San Antonio files lawsuit over ICE detention facility on East Side
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
KSAT report on the lawsuit and news conference. It quotes the complaint, council members on both sides and the full statement DHS sent to the station.
- Author
- Garrett Brnger
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
San Antonio takes DHS, ICE to court over planned Eastside detention facility
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
San Antonio Report coverage of the news conference announcing the lawsuit, with remarks from City Attorney Andy Segovia, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and council members, and a DHS statement.
- Author
- Diego Medel
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), docket
Relevant passage: Docket entries 1 to 12
About this source
Court docket for the case, filed October 13, 2026, under the Administrative Procedure Act, with the nature of suit listed as environmental matters.
- Author
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
City of San Antonio v. Mullin, No. 5:26-cv-06542 (W.D. Tex.), order on the request for injunctive relief (Dkt. 12)
Relevant passage: Order, page 1
About this source
The court notes that the complaint asks it to restrain and stay further work on the project and orders the city to file any request for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction separately by October 26, 2026, as the local rules require.
- Author
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- San Antonio sues DHS and ICE over a planned East Side detention facility, saying the agencies skipped environmental review
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/san-antonio-lawsuit-ice-east-side-detention-facility
The Dispute Index. "San Antonio sues DHS and ICE over a planned East Side detention facility, saying the agencies skipped environmental review". First published: 2026-10-20. Last updated: 2026-10-20. https://disputeindex.com/cases/san-antonio-lawsuit-ice-east-side-detention-facility