ICE Signs Lease for Office Space in Flagstaff, City Officials Call for Transparency
Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has secured a lease for new office space in Flagstaff, prompting city leaders to request greater transparency from the federal agency.
The City of Flagstaff and the Flagstaff Police Department confirmed Thursday that federal immigration authorities signed a lease for suites 150 and 160 at 1585 S. Plaza Way, located about a mile west of the Northern Arizona University campus.
City officials said in a statement they have contacted federal agencies to learn what is planned.
"Flagstaff is a community built on strong relationships, and we expect cooperation, transparency and open communication from our federal government as this situation develops," the city said in a press release.
Local officials emphasized that while the lease is for private office space, no requests have been made to use city-owned property for ICE operations. If such a request is made, the city manager will review the request under a recently established directive governing the use of city property.
Flagstaff leaders are encouraging residents with questions about the agency's mission or specific operations to contact ICE directly, noting that the federal government is the appropriate authority to address ICE's activity in the area. The agency's Arizona outreach can be reached at Phoenix.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov.
The city also requested that ICE share "accurate and timely information" directly with the public to keep the community informed of its presence. ICE has not yet publicly detailed how many employees will be based at the Plaza Way location or when the office will be fully operational.
City Officials Already Seeking Information
City officials confirmed they have proactively reached out to federal agencies to request additional information on the scope and nature of ICE's planned activities in Flagstaff. Police said federal officials have not requested use of any city property for ICE-related operations. If they do, the city will review it and decide based on the city's recently established Directive on the Use of City Property.
Police have also asked that ICE share "accurate and timely information" directly with the public.
"We have proactively reached out to federal agencies to request additional information on the scope and nature of ICE's planned activities in Flagstaff," the release said. "We have also asked that ICE share accurate and timely information directly with the public to keep the community informed."
Activist Group Raises Concerns
Last week, immigration rights coalition Keep Flagstaff Together called on local businesses and property owners to reject ICE's efforts to lease private property. Leaders say they expect transparency and communication from federal partners as more information becomes available.
Residents with questions about ICE's presence or operations in northern Arizona are encouraged to contact the Department of Homeland Security directly.
Timeline of Developments
The announcement confirms a report two weeks ago from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office that ICE was looking for office space in Flagstaff. Police said federal officials have not requested use of any city property for ICE-related operations.
According to 12News, in March the city released a statement saying ICE was looking at space to station agents in Flagstaff, but at the time, it did not know where that would be, or if any area had yet been leased or purchased.
On April 9, the city said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations signed a lease for office space near Woodland Village Boulevard and Plaza Way, which is near a church, a hospice care facility, and down the road from several restaurants. Across Woodland Village Boulevard from the office space is also a Home Depot.
No other information was released about when the office will open or how many staff will be stationed there.
Previous ICE Expansion Efforts
Flagstaff activists had previously claimed an ICE office to open on Plaza Way. The activist group Keep Flagstaff Together says it has "reason to believe" U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is opening an office at 1585 S. Plaza Way. Last week's media release follows reports that ICE is considering opening a northern Arizona substation.
Community Response
Sarah Langley, public affairs director for Flagstaff, had previously said the city did not have "confirmed information regarding whether inquiries have been made about leasing or purchasing property in the area related to ICE operations."
Now that the lease is confirmed, city officials say they have "proactively reached out" to federal agencies for more details about the planned expansion.
What Residents Should Know
The building at 1585 S. Plaza Way is privately owned. It already houses a federal agency – a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Farm Services Administration office.
Flagstaff officials say they have contacted federal agencies to request more information about the scope of ICE's planned activities and have asked the agency to share updates directly with the public.
"Flagstaff is a community built on strong relationships, and we expect cooperation, transparency and open communication from our federal government as this situation develops," the police department said in a written statement.
Residents with questions about ICE's presence or operations in northern Arizona are encouraged to contact the Department of Homeland Security directly at Phoenix.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov.
Sources:
- KTAR: https://ktar.com/immigration/ice-office-space-flagstaff/5845721/
- Arizona Family: https://www.azfamily.com/2026/04/10/ice-office-planned-flagstaff-city-pushes-transparency/
- KNAU: https://www.knau.org/knau-and-arizona-news/2026-04-10/city-officials-confirm-ice-signs-lease-for-office-space-in-flagstaff
- 12News: https://www.12news.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/immigration-and-customs-enforcement-will-be-leasing-office-space-in-flagstaff-arizona-city-says/75-a9780cd7-23ce-4af0-964c-0afd3abf3ac2
- AZ Daily Sun: https://azdailysun.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/immigrant-rights-group-claims-ice-eyeing-office-space-on-flagstaff-s-south-plaza-way/article_64096590-a775-4394-bf5b-d05c24a48349.html