ICE detention facility rumors unsettle Hutchins residents

Residents of Hutchins, a small city in Dallas County, are feeling uneasy amid rumors that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to build a large detention facility. Federal officials have clarified that they have not made any formal announcement, despite the concerns.

Internal documents from ICE, as examined by The Dallas Morning News, outline plans for a proposed “mega detention facility” located at a vacant warehouse site near the intersection of Interstate 45 and Interstate 20, approximately 12 miles south of downtown Dallas.

A recent listing on the Majestic Realty website reveals that the property encompasses approximately 61 acres and features over 1 million square feet of industrial space. The building is currently still available for potential buyers. Efforts to reach the listing agent on Friday went unanswered.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has responded to recent reports, offering a rebuttal to the claims.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated in an email to FOX 4, “We have no new detention centers to announce at this time.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is actively engaged in law enforcement operations nationwide, with the primary goal of ensuring the safety of American citizens daily.

McLaughlin stated that ICE is currently expanding detention capacity nationwide, but he did not confirm a project in Hutchins.

Mayor Mario Vazquez of Hutchins informed FOX 4 that the city has not received any communication from federal agencies regarding a proposed detention center. Reports also indicated that the warehouse property has not received a certificate of occupancy.

Residents in the city of approximately 8,000 inhabitants have raised concerns about infrastructure, public safety, and potential community disruption.

Resident Paul James expressed concerns regarding the local infrastructure, questioning whether a town with a population of 8,000 can accommodate an additional 9,000 residents, as reported by FOX 4.

Concerns are rising regarding the possibility of demonstrations or civil unrest.

“Protests and all that accompanies them are simply a major inconvenience,” stated resident Richard Livingston. “I understand that a decision must be made regarding its placement, but I would prefer it not to be located here.”

Federal officials have yet to provide further details, and there has been no public confirmation of construction activity at the site.

Hutchins leaders have announced that they are currently monitoring ongoing developments and are awaiting formal communication from federal authorities.

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