The Department of Homeland Security is no longer considering using the three massive warehouses in Socorro, Texas, as an immigration detention center, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar said.
“The good news is they are no longer planning to house 8,500 humans in those three warehouses,” Escobar, D-El Paso, said. “We all know that not only is that incredibly inhumane but, frankly, the infrastructure it is just not feasible to provide water, wastewater or emergency services.”
Escobar first announced the change in plans Friday, June 12, during a news conference in Downtown El Paso. Her announcement followed a conversation with acting ICE director David J. Venturella, the former executive at the Geo Group private prison company, who took over the position from Todd Lyon in May 2026.
Escobar explained that ICE will still be using the warehouses, but as space for offices, conferences, training, and some detention.
It is still not clear how many people will be held there, though any number of detainees held at the site could put a strain on the infrastructure, Escobar warned.
“Even if it is a private detention space for half of what was anticipated, let’s say it is 4,000, or even 1,000, the infrastructure cannot sustain any of that,” Escobar said. “We have heard very specifically from the organization that would provide water to the area. They are dealing with limited water pressure and limited water hookups, but now you’re talking about sprinkler systems as well in the facility.”
Emergency crews too have expressed concern about being able to respond to the site, Escobar said.
‘A loss of tax base’
The federal warehouses in Socorro will continue to be a negative for the city and for the county, as it will no longer contribute to the local tax base, Escobar said.
“That private commercial property has been taken off the tax rolls,” Escobar explained. “We as a community, we are trying to ensure that the commercial tax base is a healthy part of our tax base. Removing commercial property from the tax base is not good. That means a loss of revenue to the city of Socorro, the county of El Paso, the school district, all of the taxing entities.”
The impacts of the loss of taxes from the warehouses will be felt by local taxpayers, Escobar said.
City governments, residents voiced opposition to ICE detention center
DHS purchased the warehouses, which Escobar pointed out were originally meant to hold pecans, in January 2026 for $123 million. The planned detention center would be near three towns — Socorro, San Elizario and Clint — which have a combined population of roughly 45,000 people.
The plans raised concerns since they were announced, especially given the difficulty of accessing water and other infrastructure. The city of San Elizario voted in May to deny services to the site over concerns about the impact.
The plans to convert the warehouses into detention centers faced widespread outcry from both neighbors near the warehouses and residents across the Borderland. Concerned residents appeared to provide public comment against the planned detention center before an El Paso County Commissioners court meeting in January and before the Socorro City Council in February.
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: ICE changing plans for Socorro warehouses, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar says
Reporting by Jeff Abbott, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Abbott, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
