U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to use a Dallas County million-square-foot warehouse as a detention center, but the owner said Monday the property would not be leased or sold to the federal government.
The owner, Majestic Realty Co., said it was “contacted about the potential sale” of a warehouse in Hutchins, Texas.
But the company, based in California, said in a statement that it “has not and will not enter into any agreement for the purchase or lease of any building to the Department of Homeland Security for use as a detention facility.”
Majestic added, “We’re grateful for the long-term relationship we have with [Hutchins] 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.”
Mr. Vasquez said he told the company that using the warehouse for detention would “devastate” Hutchins.
The town was uneasy about the potential sale after news outlets reported that the warehouse was among two dozen nationwide — four in Texas — that the DHS identified as potentially converting into immigration detention centers.
“God answered our prayers,” Mr. Vasquez said after being made aware of the company’s decision.
The department has purchased properties in El Paso and San Antonio to fulfill President Trump’s expansive deportation campaign.
The Hutchins warehouse could have reportedly held up to 9,500 people. The city’s population is about 7,000.
“The last several weeks, as you can imagine, have been challenging for many of us, both residents and elected officials,” Mr. Vasquez said. “Both elected officials and staff heard your voices, and although we could not say much during these times due to the limited information that we had been provided, your concerns did not go unnoticed, and your professional decorum shown during our city council meetings, as well as the protest here at City Hall, is much appreciated.”
Residents voiced their concerns to the Hutchins City Council this month about community impact, infrastructure strain and education enrollment.
Mr. Vasquez responded: “If you think that anybody up here is on board with it, you’re in the wrong building.”
Majestic Realty Co. did not explain its decision to decline, and the property is still on the market.
• Mary McCue Bell can be reached at mbell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.