Arizona Attorney General Sues to Block ICE Detention Facility in Surprise

AG Mayes Files 41st Lawsuit Against Trump Administration

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced a federal lawsuit on April 24 to block the conversion of a warehouse in Surprise into an immigration detention center, alleging the Trump administration violated federal environmental and immigration laws.

Mayes filed the suit against DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, and the agencies, marking her 41st lawsuit against the Trump administration since January 2025.

Facility Located Near Chemical Storage

The proposed facility would convert a 418,000-square-foot warehouse near Dysart Road and Sweetwater Avenue into an immigration detention center. Mayes said the location is directly across the street from a facility storing hazardous chemicals.

During a press conference at the site, Mayes pointed to two chemical tankers carrying flammable liquids parked along the sidewalk. She said the facility triggers federal Risk Management Plan requirements under the Clean Air Act but lacks an emergency evacuation plan.

"The federal government wants to open a jail inside a documented chemical hazard zone," Mayes said. "If there is a pipe rupture or a chemical spill or a fire, emergency responders will be responding to a potential mass casualty event involving hundreds, if not thousands of people who are locked in and can't get out."

Environmental Law Violations

The lawsuit alleges the Department of Homeland Security failed to conduct required environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act before proceeding with the facility. The law requires the government to review and consult with communities about project impacts, including traffic, noise, and effects on protected species.

"The federal government did not ask the people of Surprise whether they wanted this facility in their backyards," Mayes said. "They simply bought a warehouse, handed a $300 million contract to a private company and told the City to deal with it."

DHS purchased the warehouse for over $70 million under former DHS leader Kristi Noem as the department sought to expand detention capacity across the nation.

Immigration Law Concerns

The lawsuit also claims the facility would violate the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, which requires the federal government to arrange for appropriate places for immigration detention.

Mayes argued that housing detainees in the warehouse is not appropriate given its location in a chemical hazard zone and the risk of overwhelming local wastewater and sewage systems.

Community Reaction

Hundreds of community members have attended Surprise City Council meetings to urge officials to prevent the facility from opening. Residents living within and outside the city have protested the plan.

Cali Overs, a Dysart High School senior who has been advocating against the facility, joined Mayes at the press conference. She said the lawsuit was the greatest chance to stop the facility and made her feel more optimistic.

Brent Peak, co-chair of Northwest Valley Indivisible, said the lawsuit validated everything the group has been fighting for.

City Response

Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor said the city had limited options since DHS and ICE controlled the situation. City Councilmember Chris Judd, the only councilmember to attend the press conference, said he was glad Mayes was getting involved because the city lacked resources to fight the facility.

However, Judd also expressed a desire to keep communication lines open with DHS, noting that if the facility is unstoppable, the city still wants a seat at the table.

Status of Project

Work has already begun on the warehouse. DHS has contracted GardaWorld Federal Services, a private security firm, to prepare the building. Fences have been installed around the site.

According to Surprise City Manager Andrea Davis, DHS officials have been communicating weekly with the city. Davis said the city was awaiting updates on water use estimates and planned to tour an ICE facility in Florence.

A DHS representative told Surprise officials that a leadership change to Secretary Mullin and lack of secured funding amid a partial government shutdown have delayed the project.

The facility was expected to hold about 550 beds, though ICE originally reported plans for up to 542 beds in some announcements. DHS told Surprise leaders it would be for single adults staying three to seven days before transfer to a mega site in El Paso or Salt Lake City.

Legal Precedent

Mayes' lawsuit is similar to one filed in February by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown to prevent conversion of a warehouse into a 1,500-bed ICE detention center. Last week, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to temporarily halt construction and operation of that facility.

Mayes is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions in her suit to prevent the Surprise facility from opening.

Immigration Facility in Surprise

The Surprise warehouse that will be converted into an ICE detention center.