Attorney General Sues to Block Immigration Detention Facility in Surprise, Arizona

The lawsuit says the proposed 1,500-bed detention center violates state and federal law and endangers public health and safety.

A 418,000-square-foot warehouse building purchased by the Department of Homeland Security as a potential detention center for illegal immigrants in Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 12, 2026. Allan Stein/The Epoch Times

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit on April 24 against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), seeking to overturn a decision to create a proposed detention facility for up to 1,500 undocumented immigrants in Surprise.

The lawsuit claims DHS and ICE failed to complete required environmental reviews and did not provide public notice, violating state and federal laws.