The Department of Homeland Security plans to build a massive new immigration detention center in Clint, Texas, according to a newly released document.
A document, which was published on X by Aarón Torres at the Dallas Morning Star, identifies the site in the 1400 block of Eastwind Avenue in Clint, Texas. The document also states that the DHS paid $122 million for the property.
The new detention center would house 8,500 people, and is part of plans to open processing centers in San Antonio and McAllen, Texas, and a 9,500-bed detention center in Hutchins, Texas.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar quickly condemned the purchase in El Paso County in a post on social media.
“The Trump administration just paid $122 million to ANOTHER corporation while shamelessly telling the American people there’s not enough money for health insurance,” Escobar, D-El Paso, wrote.
The site of the new center appears to be just within Escobar’s congressional District 16.
El Paso rejects any new detention centers
El Paso has seen growing opposition to expanding immigration detention centers.
El Paso County Commissioners Court approved an action on Monday, Feb 2, to look at challenging any new centers. The court announced its decision to take action a week after 200 residents made public comments against the site.
The El Paso City Council also approved resolutions looking to halt any new proposed ICE detention sites within the city limits.
Escobar has been a vocal opponent of the new Clint ICE center and she has raised concerns over the lack of transparency at El Paso’s existing Camp East Montana detention center, which is poised to hold 5,000 people. She sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons reiterating her opposition.
Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@usatodayco.com; @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: DHS document confirms site of new ICE detention center in Clint, Texas
Reporting by Jeff Abbott, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
