ICE Advanced San Antonio Detention Center Plans

Federal officials continue developing a new East Side facility with capacity for 1,500 people per day.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Immigration

ICE Advanced San Antonio Detention Center Plans

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Federal immigration officials have moved forward with plans to establish a large-scale detention center in a 640,000-square-foot East Side San Antonio warehouse. The site is expected to house up to 1,500 people daily when it opens this coming winter.

Why it matters

ICE officials state that the project is necessary to accommodate a recent increase in arrests. The development has triggered opposition from community groups who have organized a protest against the facility.

The federal agency purchased the property for $66.1 million and awarded GardaWorld Federal Services a $17.3 million renovation contract. The facility, located at 542 S.E. Loop 410, is designed to support 1,500 people daily.

The players

ICE

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is the primary federal body responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing detention operations.

GardaWorld Federal Services

This private security and facilities management company was contracted to oversee renovations and provide ongoing services at the new site.

Tommy Calvert

As a Bexar County Commissioner, he represents the local government interests in the area where the facility is located.

The details

ICE purchased the East Side warehouse in January and has since secured renovation services to prepare the site for detention operations. While local officials in Bexar County have issued public statements on the project, the city of San Antonio has also enacted tighter zoning regulations for detention centers.

In January 2026, ICE purchased the 640,000-square-foot warehouse building.
In August 2026, ICE awarded the renovation contract to GardaWorld Federal Services.
On September 10, 2026, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert issued a formal statement.
On October 3, 2026, opponents are scheduled to hold a protest march.
The facility is currently expected to open during the winter of 2026-2027.

Political Context

The project faces structural pushback from local authorities who have enacted stricter municipal zoning rules to limit the development of new detention centers. This creates a complex regulatory environment where federal expansion efforts collide with local land-use policies.

The opening of a high-capacity detention facility at 542 S.E. Loop 410 may result in increased security presence or traffic shifts for local residents in the East Side area. Residents may also be affected by upcoming protest activity related to the facility's construction.

The takeaway

The development of this detention facility highlights the ongoing friction between federal infrastructure expansion and local municipal land-use restrictions. Residents living near 542 S.E. Loop 410 should monitor city announcements for potential updates on operational impacts.