Purchase of Hutchins warehouse by ICE rejected by owner

HUTCHINS – Owners of a Dallas County warehouse Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had planned to use as a mega detention center said Monday it will not sell or lease the property to the federal government.

“God answered our prayers,” Hutchins Mayor Mario Vasquez said after learning of the company’s decision.

Internal ICE documents revealed that the agency wanted to use the warehouse in Hutchins to house up to 9,500 migrants as the agency pushes to fulfill President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign.

Majestic Realty Co., the owners, said the Department of Homeland Security had contacted them to discuss purchasing the property.

The California-based company said it has not – and will not – sell the warehouse to ICE.

“We’re grateful for the long-term relationship we have with Mayor Mario Vasquez and the city of Hutchins, and look forward to continuing our work to find a buyer or lease tenant that will help drive economic growth,” the company said.

Vasquez said he had told the company that using the warehouse for detention would “devastate” Hutchins.

The Hutchins warehouse was identified as one of four new ICE detention centers in Texas as the agency looks to expand detention space for those who are arrested and awaiting deportation.