A legal battle is unfolding in Arizona as Kris Mayes takes aim at federal plans to establish a large-scale immigration detention facility in the West Valley city of Surprise.
The lawsuit, filed against the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, seeks to halt the conversion of a 418,000-square-foot warehouse into a detention center capable of housing up to 1,500 people. According to state officials, the federal government purchased the property earlier this year for $70 million and later awarded a $300 million contract to a private company to develop and operate the site.
Mayes argues that the project has advanced without sufficient transparency or community input. In public remarks, she criticized federal authorities for moving forward without consulting local residents, effectively placing the burden of the decision on the city.
Local leadership has taken a more cautious stance. Kevin Sartor previously indicated that the city lacks the legal authority to stop the project, despite opposition from residents and community groups. Public concern has steadily intensified, with protests emerging after news broke that the warehouse—located near Dysart and Thunderbird roads—would be repurposed for detention use.
At the heart of the lawsuit are allegations that federal agencies failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires environmental impact reviews before major projects move forward. Mayes contends that no such review has been completed or shared publicly, leaving significant unanswered questions about the site’s suitability.
Infrastructure limitations also feature prominently in the state’s argument. Officials say the industrial warehouse was never designed to support residential occupancy at the scale proposed and may lack adequate water and wastewater systems for detainees.
Beyond infrastructure concerns, the complaint also points to potential health and safety risks. The property is located in an industrial zone across from a facility that stores large quantities of hazardous chemicals, raising concerns about possible exposure and emergency preparedness. Increased traffic and added strain on local emergency services are also cited as potential consequences if the facility becomes operational.
The lawsuit further claims the plan may violate provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which requires detention facilities to be located in appropriate and safe environments. Given the surrounding industrial hazards, Mayes argues the site does not meet that standard.
Framing the issue as one of accountability, Mayes said the federal government must adhere to the same legal requirements as any other entity. The case now sets the stage for a broader confrontation over federal authority, local control, and the rapid expansion of immigration detention capacity in the United States.
