WASHINGTON — Federal immigration officials have temporarily halted the acquisition of additional detention facilities while conducting a comprehensive examination of agreements made during Kristi Noem’s leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, a senior official revealed.
The suspension follows the recent appointment of Markwayne Mullin as the new Homeland Security Secretary, who assumed control of an agency that faced significant criticism during Noem’s time in charge while remaining essential to President Trump’s immigration enforcement priorities.
The unnamed official, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly, indicated that previously completed warehouse acquisitions are also under review. NBC News initially broke the story about the purchasing freeze.
When questioned about the reported suspension, Homeland Security responded with a written statement saying that “as with any transition, we are reviewing agency policies and proposals.”
The agency highlighted Mullin’s previous statements during Senate confirmation proceedings, where he expressed his desire to “work with community leaders” and “be good partners.”
Mullin has taken over management of a massive $38.3 billion initiative designed to expand detention capacity to 92,000 beds through the purchase of eight major detention complexes, each capable of holding between 7,000 and 10,000 individuals, plus 16 smaller regional processing facilities.
The ambitious expansion strategy originated during Noem’s administration but quickly encountered fierce resistance from residents and local officials nationwide who opposed having large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in their communities.
Community opposition stemmed from both ethical concerns about ICE facilities in residential areas and practical worries about potential strain on municipal infrastructure, including water and sewage systems.
Federal authorities have completed purchases of 11 warehouse properties across Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah, spending a total of $1.074 billion on the acquisitions.
However, legal challenges have been filed in three states, and at least one facility has seen its planned capacity reduced. A warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, near Phoenix, was originally designed to accommodate 1,500 individuals but will now be limited to 542 occupied beds, according to Mayor Kevin Sarter’s announcement during a Monday press conference.
Local officials, including mayors, county leaders, governors and congressional representatives, frequently discovered ICE’s plans only after properties had already been purchased or leased, creating surprise and anger even in regions that have supported Trump’s policies.
The warehouse initiative encountered obstacles from its inception, with eight potential deals falling through in locations such as Kansas City, Missouri, when property owners chose not to proceed with sales.
During his confirmation process, when questioned about the communication failures, Mullin admitted there had been problems.
“We’ve got to protect the homeland and we’re going to do that,” Mullin stated. “But obviously we want to work with community leaders.”
Mullin, who managed and grew his family’s plumbing company before serving Oklahoma in both the House and Senate, emphasized his construction experience by saying “one thing I do know is construction.”
He acknowledged that most local governments lack sufficient infrastructure capacity for waste and water management.
“So, it’s important that we’re talking to the communities and if we’re having additional needs, we can work with the cities,” he explained during his confirmation hearing earlier this month.
